Narsingh row: Wrestler Kaliraman calls for dope test at all levels

Insisting that the doping controversy surrounding Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav could send a wrong message to the community, wrestler Jagdish Kaliraman on Thursday said the truth in the matter should come to the fore so as to avoid similar incidents in future.

"It is very saddening that the facts, which are coming up shows it is a conspiracy against Narsingh Yadav by a wrestler. Nothing like this has been done so far. This issue has raised many questions. It also sends a wrong message to community. Wrestling is a competitive sport. And jealousy among the wrestlers gives rise to such conspiracy," Kaliraman told ANI.

"The truth needs to come out in Narsingh Yadav's case so that we get to know why anyone has done this, what was the motive. The guilty should be punished because it will put a halt on such incidents in future," he said.

Kaliraman, however, backed the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) decision to put Praveen Rana on standby for men's 75-kg freestyle category for Rio in case Narsingh doesn't get clean chit from National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

"Final verdict of NADA hasn't come yet. But Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has done a good job. He has put Praveen Rana on standby and has even got his approval from United World Wrestling (UWW) and incase Narsingh won't be able go then our quota will not get wasted as Praveen Rana will go. I am hopeful he will go to the Rio Olympics and make India proud," he added.

Suggesting ways to avoid such incidents in future, Kaliraman called on the players to stay alert and demanded the introduction of dope test at all levels.

"Our players need to stay alert and if they think someone is mixing something in the food or they see any suspicious person then they should immediately inform the federation so that such acts can be stopped," he said.

"The issue of doping exists worldwide, it can't be eliminated completely but it can be lessened. Everyone has to work jointly to curb the issue of doping. Awareness should be increased. So, dope test should be introduced at all level and quality food supplements should be provided by the government," the wrestler added.

Earlier, the hearing on wrestler Narsingh's doping case was adjourned for today as no decision was taken by the NADA till Wednesday evening.

The 26-year-old embattled grappler's hopes of representing India at the 74kg event in next month's Rio Olympics received a major jolt after he failed his second dope test conducted by the NADA on July 5.

On Monday, Narsingh, who bagged the quota with a bronze medal finish in last year's World Championships, tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid on both his 'A' and 'B' samples.

Meanwhile, Narsingh has cried conspiracy, claiming that his food had been spiked and has filed an FIR at the Sonepat Police Station against two fellow wrestlers.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan had also backed Narsingh's claims of a conspiracy after his sparring partner and roommate Sandeep Tulsi also tested positive for drugs while being forced to name Parveen Rana as replacement to save India the quota place.

Narsingh was selected for the Rio Olympics in controversial circumstances as two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar had demanded for trials to determine who should go to the games.

However, Narsingh was favoured for the same after fighting a lengthy legal battle with Sushil.