Neeraj exempted from Federation Cup, Kang set to return after doping charge clearance

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is the only top athlete exempted from participation while his one-time competitor Davinder Singh Kang is set to return to action after being cleared of doping charges in the Federation Cup National Championships which begins here Friday.

India's new sprint sensation Hima Das, her male counterpart quartermiler Mohd. Anas, Asian Games gold medallist Jinson Johnson, Manjit Singh, Arpinder Singh, Tajinder Singh Toor, Swapna Barman all have been confirmed to take part in the March 15-18 championships.

Kang, who reached the final round of 2017 London World Championships, was recently cleared of doping charges by both the Athletics Integrity Unit and World Anti-Doping Agency after the National Dope Testing Laboratory withdrew the adverse analytical finding issued to his urine sample.

"No ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation). The athlete is no longer subject to a provisional suspension and may compete with immediate effect," the AIU said.

Asked about the development, Athletics Federation of India Secretary C K Valson said, "Kang has entered for the Federation Cup and as of now, he is free to compete."