Narsingh alleges SAI role in dope scandal, gets WFI support

The doping scandal that has virtually ruled Narsingh Yadav out of Olympics today took a sinister twist with the grappler alleging that a SAI official was part of the “conspiracy” to frame him even as the national federation threw its weight firmly behind him.

A day after it was revealed that Narsingh and his roommate Sandeep Yadav had tested positive for banned anabolic steroid methandienone, the Wrestling Federation of India stood by the wrestler, insisting that a conspiracy was at play to stop him from going to Rio.

WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh today said Narsingh has submitted a written complaint, naming a SAI Sonepat official and also made allegations against a few others, including players.

“Narsingh Yadav has submitted a written complaint to the WFI on July 19, in which he has mentioned name of one SAI official and also made allegations against a few other people, including players,” Singh told reporters here.

“In a span of one month, there have been three dope tests conducted on Narsingh and that raises a lot of suspicion.  Moreover, even his room partner Sandeep Yadav has tested positive for the same substance,” he added. A defiant Narsingh demanded a CBI probe into the scandal.

“There should be a CBI inquiry. The whole episode relating to my selection had gone to court. There was a CID report that my life is under threat. All this makes it clear that I have been framed so that I am stopped from going to Rio,” Narsingh said.

“I have given my complaint to the federation in which I have made it clear that something could have been mixed in the food that was prepared at the mess. It is a conspiracy against me,” he added.

The WFI chief said Narsingh’s complaint has been forwarded to the Sports Ministry as well.

“The day Narsingh gave the written complaint, I straightaway intimated the Sports Ministry and other important people in the government of India. The government has taken it seriously and a committee of eminent people has been formed who are looking into the matter. I also informed World Wrestling body FILA and NADA about the entire conspiracy.

“I am in constant touch with the world body and have been updating them about every development,” he said.