Justice for Monika

Ministry to test Monika's B sample in Japan
New Delhi, Sep 22: The true picture in the Monika Devi doping saga may finally see the light of the day with the Sports Ministry on Monday deciding to get the lifter's Sample B tested abroad.

In a letter to the Scientific Director of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), the Ministry referred to the T S Krishna Murthy report on the saga and sought testing of Monika's B sample in the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Tokyo."

As recommended by T S Krishna Murthy, it has been decided that the B-sample kept with NDTL in respect of Monika Devi should be examined by an accredited laboratory outside India for immediate analysis. This work may be entrusted to the accredited laboratory in Japan," the Ministry said.

The Ministry also asked the official to find out if Monika would like to be present herself at the time of testing or would send a representative, the cost of which would be borne by the government."

In accordance with the rights available to the athlete under WADA code, the athlete must be given opportunity to be present herself or send her representative.

"For this, it may be ascertained from the athlete concerned whether she would like to be present herself or send her representative during the analysis of B-sample at the above mentioned WADA accredited lab and if so, necessary arrangements may be made for her or her representative's travel abroad at Government cost.

Government may be kept informed of the progress in the matter," the letter said.Sports Ministry appointed TS Krishna Murthy probe Monika issue and former Chief Election Commissioner, flayed the lack of coordination among the agencies and the inordinate delay in between testing of samples and conveying the outcome to the lifter.

Reacting to the Krishna Murthy report, the Ministry shot off a separate letter to the NDTL Scientific Director. "It is directed that NDTL must strictly comply with the WADA International Standard of Laboratories, which stipulates that reporting of A-sample results, should occur within 10 working days of the receipt of sample.

"Based on the above mentioned norm, NDTL should anticipate the problem being faced in analysing the A-sample, and in case they are not able to test the sample within the stipulated time, immediate action should be taken, to send the sample to another WADA accredited laboratory, following due procedure with prior approval of CEO, NDTL," the letter read.

"In cases of unanticipated problems which may delay analysis, the same procedure should be followed to send the samples to another WADA accredited lab after obtaining the approval of CEO, NDTL", the Ministry said.

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)

Pride of Manipur

Manipuri lifter Monika Devi selected for Beijing Olympics

New Delhi, July 15: Manipuri weightlifter L Monika Devi was today unanimously chosen ahead of Shailaja Pujari to represent the country in the Beijing Olympic Games after a selection trial in Bangalore, bringing to an end a selection controversy and allegations of bribery.

Monika, who won a silver and two bronze in the Asian Championship in Japan in April-May to help book the lone berth for India, will compete in the 69kg category while Shailaja (75kg) would be the reserve lifter.

"Monika was chosen for the Olympics by an unanimous decision of the Selection Committee. I am happy that everything went off smoothly during the trials," Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Harbhajan Singh said.

"Dev Dutt Sharma will accompany Monika as coach in Beijing," he added.

Monika and Shailaja were shortlisted for the final selection after an earlier trial in Pune on June 29 was followed by allegations of bribery on IWF General Secreatry B R Gulati to select Shailaja. Gulati had rubbished the allegations as "baseless".

Shailaja was also alleged to have used kneeguards, which were not permitted under IWF rules, in the Pune trial. This led to the Sports Ministry ordering probe into the bribery scandal and asking to cancel the trials besides directing to shift the trial venue from Pune to NIS, Patiala.

IWF stuck to its guns on the repeat selection trials though it shifted the venue of trial to SAI Centre, Bangalore.

Sharma's selection as coach was also against Ministry directive that a woman coach should accompany a woman lifter in Beijing.

Source: Press Trust of India

Other Stories:
Monika gets the nod
IWF selects Monika ahead of Shailaja

Laishram Monika Fetches Weightlifting Olympic Berth:
New Delhi, Apr 30: With one silver and two bronze to their kitty in the ongoing Asian weightlifting championship in Kanazawa in Japan, Indian women have booked one berth for Beijing Olympics.
Laishram Monika Devi has fetched three medals for India in the women’s 69kg event in the final Olympic qualifying event which concludes on Thursday.
The team’s assistant manager Parminder Singh said that India had secured one Olympic berth in the women’s section.
“By virtue of one silver and two bronze medals, our women have booked one quota place for Olympics,” he said.
On Wednesday, Shailaja Pujari finished fifth overall in the women’s 75kg category with a total lift of 218kg (95 in snatch and 123 in clean and jerk), while compatriot Kavita Devi withdrew from the competition in the same category.
In the women’s above-75 kg category, Geeta Rani finished overall sixth with a lift of 224kg (99+125), while compatriot K. Tulsi ended at the bottom of the list in the 11-lifter field with a total lift of 177 (80+97).
Source: Press Trust of India

Asian Weightlifting

Monika wins silver, two bronze:

New Delhi, Apr 29: Laishram Monika Devi fetched the first medals for India in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Kanazawa, Japan on Tuesday by finishing overall third in women's 69 kg category.
Monika lifted a total weight of 222 kg (100 in snatch and 122 in clean and jerk) to finish behind Liu Chunhong of China (262: 117+145) and Kao Ya-chun of Chinese Taipei (222: 98+124) respectively.
The Manipuri girl added a silver and bronze as she was second in snatch and third in clean and jerk.
Compatriot Srishti Singh finished last in the 10-lifter field with a total of 168 kg (78+90).
In the men's 56 kg category, Valluri Srinavasa Rao came a cropper lifting a total of 237 kg (102+135) to end a disappointing eighth in a 13-lifter field.
In the men's 69 kg class, Govindan Elumalai and Katulu Ravi Kumar stood overall 10th and 11th with total lifts of 288 (130+158) and 285 (128+157) respectively.
On Monday, Kailas Pujari ended a disappointing 15th in the men's 62 kg category with a total lift of 253 kg (110+143).
Kavita Devi and Shailaja Pujari will compete in the women's 75 kg category while Geeta Rani and K Tulsi will feature in the women's +75 kg class on Wednesday.
The tournament is the final qualifying event for the Beijing Olympics.
Source: Press Trust of India

Asian Weightlifting Championship

Manipur's Shaya Devi disappoints:
New Delhi, Apr 27: Manipuri weightlifter Shaya Devi finished a disappointing ninth in her weight category in the Asian Weightlifting championship at Kanazawa, Japan. She lifted a total of 174 kg (77 in snatch and 97 in clean and jerk) to finish ninth in the 12-lifter 53 kg event won by Chinese Cen Lijuan with a lift of 208 kg (91+117).Laishram Monika Devi will compete in 69 kg women's category on Tuesday.
Source: Press Trust of India

International badminton tournament in Guwahati

Shuttlers to reach city from Friday for India Challenge Badminton:

Guwahati, Nov 28: The first batch of the shuttlers taking part in the India Challenge Badminton Tournament which will get under way at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium from December 2 will arrive in the city on Friday.

Around 100 participants are expected to take part in the meet.

It is for the first time that the Assam Badminton Association is hosting any international meet and the preparation is going on full swing.

Altogether four courts would be used during the tournament and the laying of courts is in the final stage.

Players, particularly those representing India from Asom, would start their practice sessions in the stadium from tomorrow.

Apart from host India, the other countries that will take part in the championship include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal and a few others.

Among the top Indian players who are likely to be seen in action in the meet include the top-ranked Chetan Anand and Saina Nahwal. However, the organisers are yet to get the confirmation from Saina as she is playing another tournament abroad (Lost in the first round in Hong Kong Super Series on Wednesday -- my addition).

Source: The Sentinel

Manipur's tryst with Baseball

Baseball making rapid strides in Manipur:
Nov 4: Making an assessment of the state's baseball players and coaches, Major League Baseball envoy coaches Jeff Brueggemann and David Palese gave high marks on attitude, dedication and passion for the game eliciting comparisons even with the South East Asian giants South Korea and Japan.

The two coaches are on their second visit to Imphal following an arrangement between one of the biggest sporting body on earth, the Major League Baseball of the United States of America and the New York based First Pitch, a non-profit organization committed to popularization of baseball in Manipur.

With an optimistic vision, First Pitch donated bulks of baseball equipment to the joy of all baseball enthusiasts and kids during the first coaching camp last year.

The second coaching camp got underway a couple of days ago.

The globetrotting Jeff, however, minced no words on the remoteness of these players turning professional.

He said a professional change over needs huge financial investment but an amateur set up is not less valuable.

Recollecting his youth in Kansas, USA, Jeff insisted that baseball was more than a career option suggesting it inculcated great virtues in life and led the teenagers from harms way.

He said only exceptional talent can lead a player to the top league and in fact only a few are fortunate to make a living out of it.

However, the leadership skill and discipline it instills during adolescence is invaluable, he said.

David, who along with Jeff imparted coaching tips to 31 local coaches last fall, complimented the coaches and players on the long strides they have accomplished during the turn of the year.

David said he was amazed at the expanding base of the game and the commitment exhibited.

Manipur Baseball Association has now a burgeoning list of around 450 players and twenty affiliated clubs.

The state teams have won laurels in the national arena during the last few years.

First Pitch board member Somi Roy agreed that the next target is construction of a ball park, for which a plot of land in Lamphel has been earmarked and to turn Manipur into a centre of Indian baseball.

The lack of facilities and equipment appeared to be the only shortfall though the foreign coaches supposed it will be fulfilled with time.

One female local coach confided that though the players still have few career options, after the arrival of free equipment, courtesy First Pitch, baseball lovers have been mobilized and the proposed baseball park, whenever it comes up, will be the next gratifying moment.

The two Major League Baseball envoy coaches had also visited other states of India to popularise the game in the country.

Source: The Sangai Express