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Vinesh Phogat, a former Indian wrestler, has once again faced accusations of omitting her uncle Mahavir Phogat's name from her "thank you" note following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat qualified for the 50kg final but was disqualified for being 100gm overweight before the match.In a conversation on 'Top Angle With Sushant Sinha,' Babita Phogat, Mahavir Phogat's daughter and a former Indian wrestler, expressed her disappointment over Vinesh's omission. She revealed that Mahavir had fought tirelessly to preserve Vinesh's career and accused her cousin of ingratitude."I have seen my father cry just three times in my life. First, when me and my sisters got married. Second, when my uncle died and third, when Vinesh got disqualified from the Olympics," Babita said. "When my uncle died, Vinesh and both of her siblings suddenly quit wrestling. My father went to their house and fought with their mother to get them back to wrestling. Imagine how much he has worked to make Vinesh. But she thanked everyone except for that guru."The National Anti-Doping Authority (NADA) has also served a notice to Vinesh Phogat for a whereabouts failure. A team was sent to collect a urine sample from Phogat, who missed a medal in the Paris Olympics due to her disqualification, but she was not available at her residence.Vinesh Phogat, who made history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the final of the Women's 50kg category in Paris, has been asked to respond to the notice within 14 days.The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about Vinesh Phogat's relationship with her family and her gratitude towards those who have supported her career.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has issued a notice to wrestler Vinesh Phogat for whereabouts failure. The notice, served on Wednesday, seeks an explanation from Phogat within 14 days.As a member of NADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Phogat is required to provide details of her availability for dope tests. If she fails to provide accurate information or is not present at the specified location and time, it is considered a whereabouts failure.According to the notice, Phogat was not available for a dope test on September 9 at her residence in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat. The NADA notice states, "You are hereby given a formal notice to notify you about apparent failure to comply with the whereabouts requirements of the ADR, and to invite you to make any comments before we come to a final decision on the matter."Phogat has the option to accept the failure or provide evidence that she was present at the specified location for approximately 60 minutes. It is important to note that a single whereabouts failure does not constitute an anti-doping rule violation. However, three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period can lead to charges against an athlete.Phogat's whereabouts failure comes at a time when she is actively involved in politics. She recently joined the Congress party and is contesting the upcoming Haryana Assembly election from Julana constituency.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia Challenges NADA Suspension in Delhi High CourtWrestler Bajrang Punia has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging his suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The suspension stems from Punia's refusal to provide a urine sample for a dope test during selection trials in March.Punia's counsel argued that the suspension is arbitrary and violates his fundamental rights. He claimed that NADA failed to follow proper testing protocols and that Punia had legitimate reasons for refusing the test. The counsel also highlighted the upcoming Senior World Wrestling Championships in Albania and urged the court to grant an interim relief to allow Punia to participate.NADA's counsel defended the suspension, stating that a disciplinary panel is investigating the matter and that Punia is not being targeted. The counsel emphasized that athletes cannot refuse dope tests and that NADA is committed to ensuring fair play.The court questioned Punia on his refusal to submit a sample, highlighting the importance of testing for the integrity of the sport. However, the court also acknowledged Punia's concerns and directed NADA to file a response to the petition.Punia's suspension has sparked controversy, with many questioning the timing and fairness of the decision. The wrestler has been a vocal critic of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and has alleged sexual harassment by its former chief.The outcome of the court case will have significant implications for Punia's career and the future of anti-doping in Indian sports.

Indian race walker Bhawna Jat has been handed a 16-month ban by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for whereabouts failures. The ban, which commenced on August 10, 2023, will end on December 10, 2024.Bhawna's suspension stems from her failure to provide accurate whereabouts information and missed doping tests. Under NADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP) program, athletes are required to submit their whereabouts quarterly and provide a 60-minute time slot for testing.Bhawna failed to appear for two doping tests in May and June 2023 and was also reported for one filing failure in the last quarter of 2022. She attributed the filing failure to technical issues with the mobile application and losing her phone.The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) made the decision to suspend Bhawna under Article 2.4 of the NADA Rules on July 10, 2024. The suspension prevented her from competing at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.Bhawna, 28, is a former national record holder in the women's 20km race walk and competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her suspension is a significant setback for her career and highlights the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has once again suspended Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia for refusing to provide a urine sample for a dope test. This is the second time NADA has suspended Punia, after revoking his initial suspension on May 31st due to a lack of a "notice of charge."On April 23rd, NADA suspended Punia for refusing to give a urine sample during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10th. The World Governing body UWW also suspended him. Punia appealed the provisional suspension, and NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) revoked it on May 31st until NADA issued the notice of charge.On Sunday, NADA served the notice to Punia, stating that he is being charged with violating Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. Punia has until July 11th to request a hearing or accept the charge.Punia has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded to know NADA's response to his email where he sought an answer to why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.NADA explained that the chaperone/DCO had approached Punia and informed him that he was required to provide a urine sample. Despite several requests, Punia refused, stating that he would not provide the sample unless NADA replied to his email regarding the expired kits.NADA made it clear that if the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) is upheld, it will seek "disqualification of results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes." NADA may also recover financial costs associated with the ADRV or impose a fine.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, who had refused to provide a urine sample after the selection trials in March. The Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) of NADA revoked the suspension until NADA issues a formal Notice of Charge to Punia.Punia had challenged the provisional suspension through his lawyers, arguing that he did not refuse to provide a sample but merely requested an explanation from NADA regarding an expired kit used to collect his sample in December 2023.The ADDP order stated that the provisional suspension was revoked "at this stage when Notice of Charge is yet to be issued to the Athlete." The panel emphasized that it had not yet considered the merits of Punia's explanations or the counter-arguments presented by NADA.Punia's refusal to provide a sample stemmed from his dissatisfaction with NADA's handling of his previous request for clarification on the expired kit. He had expressed concerns about the integrity of the sample collection process and the potential impact on his reputation.The ADDP's decision to lift the provisional suspension allows Punia to resume training and competition while NADA completes its investigation. The agency is expected to issue a Notice of Charge if it believes there is sufficient evidence to support a violation of anti-doping rules.Punia's case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in anti-doping procedures. Athletes have the right to question the integrity of the testing process and to seek clarification on any concerns they may have. NADA, in turn, has the responsibility to ensure that its protocols are fair and consistent, and that athletes are treated with respect.

The Delhi Summer Athletic meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium concluded on Sunday with a significant number of athletes withdrawing from participation due to the presence of National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) officials.On Friday, the first day of the meet, several athletes either "Did Not Start" or "Did Not Finish" in various events, particularly in throwing events. NADA officials had arrived to collect samples, prompting many athletes to stay away.On Sunday, the exodus continued as more athletes pulled out across events. The women's steeplechase, women's hammer throw, and men's pole vault could not be conducted due to a lack of participants. In the men's hammer, only one athlete competed, while the lone participant in the women's hammer did not report.The men's triple jump saw no medallists as two jumpers withdrew and three registered 'no mark'. In discus, only half of the eight entrants took part. In men's 800m, six out of 19 participants did not start.The most significant withdrawals occurred in the men's 5,000m and boys U-18 1,000m. In 5,000m, only six of the 20 athletes competed, while the 1,000m race saw 14 DNS and three DNF in a field of 25. In women's 5,000m, five of the nine athletes pulled out.The Delhi Athletics Association (DAA), the organizers of the meet, stated that the results may be updated after receiving reports from NADA and the age verification committee. The result of the U18 shot put bronze medallist who evaded the testers has been withheld, and the boys' discus result has also been "withheld" due to complaints of overage.The meet was intended to select the Delhi team for the National Youth Athletics Championships in Chhattisgarh from June 15. The DAA had obtained undertakings from all participants with the names of their coaches, following the Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) announcement that coaches would also be punished if an athlete is suspended for doping.India has recorded the highest number of doping offenders in the world in 2022, according to a recent World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) report. India tested 3,865 samples that year, and 125 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF). India is also the second worst country in doping cases among minors, as per a 10-year study conducted by WADA, behind Russia.

National Anti-Doping Agency Cracks Down on Dope Cheaters at Delhi State Athletics MeetOn a sweltering morning, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) launched a surprise raid at the Delhi State Summer Athletic Meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, sending shockwaves through the participating athletes.The presence of NADA dope testers caused a stir, with one medallist in the shot put boys' U-18 event attempting to evade officials by fleeing around the stadium. Another shot putter in the girls U-18 category also managed to escape.Undeterred, the NADA team continued its mission, collecting samples from medallists and randomly selecting athletes for testing. The heightened scrutiny led to an unusually high number of athletes withdrawing from their respective events.In the boys (U-18) 1000m run, 17 athletes failed to finish the race, while 10 others did not even start. The boys (U-18) 400m competition saw nine withdrawals, while the men's 400m run had seven athletes pulling out.The throwing events were also affected, with five athletes withdrawing from the boys U18 shot put event and three from the men's shot put. In men's javelin, four out of nine competitors pulled out."These are unusually high numbers of athletes withdrawing from events," said an official at the venue. "It's clear that the presence of dope testers has had an impact."The result of the shot putter who fled without giving his samples has been withheld. Suspicious syringes were also discovered scattered in the stadium's washrooms.The Delhi Athletics Association (DAA) has implemented a new policy requiring athletes to provide the names of their coaches, who will face punishment if their athletes are suspended for doping.This crackdown comes in the wake of India recording the highest number of doping offenders in the world in 2022, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). India tested 3,865 samples during that period, with 125 returning Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs).NADA's recent raids and the DAA's new policy are part of a concerted effort to combat doping in Indian athletics. The aim is to ensure fair competition and protect the integrity of the sport.

Olympic medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has refuted allegations that he refused to provide urine samples during selection trials in Sonepat in March. He claims that he merely requested an explanation from the dope control officials after they failed to provide adequate proof of carrying proper equipment.Punia, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, stated that he had previously encountered issues with NADA officials. On two separate occasions, they had arrived with expired kits and only one testing kit instead of the mandatory three.On March 10, when approached by alleged doping control officials, Punia sought an explanation for these previous lapses. However, he received no response. He then informed the officials that he would provide a sample upon receiving an explanation.Instead of providing an explanation, the officials left the venue, claiming it to be a refusal from Punia's end. He emphasized that he remained at the venue for an hour after the incident and met with the SAI doctor for treatment of a knee injury.Punia also alleged that the DCOs did not follow protocol by leaving before he submitted his medical report to the competition manager. He believes that his actions were justified due to NADA's past actions and the need to ensure compliance with doping control protocols."It is my moral obligation towards the wrestling community and particularly the younger wrestlers, that I exercised here," Punia stated.