New Delhi: Bajrang Punia isn’t amused at being suspended for four years as he attributes it to the Indian government’s vindictiveness for his role in driving protest of women wrestlers against alleged sexual misconduct.
The National Anti-Doping Agency suspended Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Punia on Tuesday for non-compliance with anti-doping norms.
NADA said Punia refused to hand over his urine sample during selection trials for the national team on March 10 in violation of rules.
The 30-year-old was provisionally suspended on April 23, leading to suspension by the United World Wrestling too.
“It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for last one year. I have said in the past too that I have not refused to give sample to NADA. When they visited my home to conduct the dope test, they came with an expiry kit (in December, 2023). I have also posted this on social media,” Punia said on Wednesday.
“You can’t give expiry kit to any player and as far as I am concerned, my team was there, so they saw it. They came carrying expiry kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022.
“I gave my urine sample but then my team checked the kit and found out that it was expired. So we made a video of the kit and we mailed NADA, called them to inform about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake.”
Politics at play
Punia, along with Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, had led a spirited protest against erstwhile Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh, who was accused of sexually molesting women wrestlers.
Multiple wrestlers participated in a long-drawn sit-in protest against Brij Bhushan, an influential politician with the ruling BJP party. Punia failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and has since joined the Congress party.
“I also feel that because of our protest in support of the women wrestlers, they are trying to exact revenge because all the agencies are fall under the purview of the government,” Punia claimed.
“I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given sample during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government’s motive is to break us, make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted.”
The National Anti-Doping Agency suspended Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia for non-compliance with anti-doping norms. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
