Athletics duo faces AFI sanctions for needle violation at CWG

The two Indian athletes, who were today ordered out of the Commonwealth Games for breaching the 'no needle policy', will also face sanctions from their national body following a time-bound inquiry.

Race walker K T Irfan and triple jumper V Rakesh Babu were ordered to return home from the ongoing event after they failed to explain the presence of needles in their bedroom at the Games Village.

Their testimonies, swearing innocence were declared "evasive and unreliable" by the Commonwealth games Federation (CGF) court.

"They will definitely be punished by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) as well. It is an embarrassment for us. There will be an inquiry after the Games is over and it will be time-bound. The panel will be appointed after the Games," AFI Secretary C K Valson said after the CGF court stripped them of their accreditation and asked them to leave for India.

While Irfan was already through with his 20km race walk event, finishing 13th, the 28-year-old Rakesh Babu was to participate in today's triple jump final after qualifying 12th for the competition but he had injured himself during the qualifiers yesterday and was unlikely to compete.

"Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are with immediate effect not permitted to participate in the Games. The accreditation of Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi was suspended with effect from 09:00 hours on April 13, 2018. Both athletes were removed from the Games Village," the Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin said.

Valson said the athletes have pleaded innocence and claimed that it was a case of not giving their bags a thorough check before they packed for the Games in Patiala.

"The athletes version is that the needle remained in their luggage by chance after they changed bags to pack for the Games. Once they found the needles in their bags, they kept them in a cup in their room as it was not permitted to throw them away," he added.

"We will try to find out if there is any truth in these claims during the inquiry."