Wrestler Narsingh Yadav is provisionally suspended and if there is no new development, he will not be able to participate in the Rio Olympics, Sports Minister Vijay Goel informed the Rajya Sabha today.
"We have already stated that Narsingh is provisionally suspended and if there is no new development, he would not be able to go to the Olympics," he said replying to questions.
Goel said the government was in the process of setting up 19 centres for specialised games.
"Our government wants to give importance to sports and we are working with "Target Olympics Podium", for which customised training is also being provided to sports personnel to help win more and more medals for the country," he said.
He said government is also taking the help of corporates for promotion of sports in the country.
Goel added that no work is being done on the scheme involving MPs and it will be restarted after reworking it and after receiving more suggestions from MPs.
The Minister also said that Sports is a state subject and the states have to increase the fund allocation for its promotion as central government cannot alone take the burden of promoting sports and providing funds.
(Reopen PAR32)
Later in a special mention in Lok Sabha, Congress member K C Venugopal asked the government to clear doubts over Narsingh Yadav's participation in Rio Olympics and demanded a probe into the issue concerning alleged drug abuse.
"I would request the government to clear all doubts on the incident and conduct a unbiased inquiry into this matter. This is essential to do justice to the sportsmanship," he said.
"I would request the government to make a comprehensive inquiry to this matter and remove all cobwebs on the matter. it is also highly essential to ensure the participation of India in the 74 kg wrestling," Venugopal said.
He said the incident has come as a major setback for India's Olympic buildup and preparation as the wrestler failed a dope test conducted by NADA.
"This has put doubt on his participation in the coming Rio Olympics," he said.
Narsingh, who won the 74kg Olympic quota berth with a World Championships bronze last year, was selected for Rio in controversial circumstances after double Olympic-med demands for a trial rejected by the WFI and the Delhi High Court.
"Narsingh had to fight a lengthy legal battle to get the chance to compete for India at the Olympics," he said.
He said the Sports Ministry also issued a statement to confirm a failed dope test by a wrestler but desisted from giving out Narsingh's name and should come out with a detailed statement clearing the air over the issue.
