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Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Monday alleged that the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) wants to end his career for exposing his shortcomings. NADA had on April 23 suspended Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Punia after he did not submit samples for dope test during the selection trials held in Sonipat on March 10. Although Bajrang got relief from the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP), NADA suspended Bajrang for the second time on June 24.
The ADDP had lifted the first suspension on the grounds that NADA had not issued a formal notice to the wrestler and officially accused him of doping. After this NADA issued him a notice and suspended him again. Bajrang wrote on Twitter, “This shows how NADA is targeting me, they don’t want me to continue wrestling at any cost.” The 30-year-old, who has won medals in the World Championships multiple times, claimed. He said that he never refused to give the sample, but only sought answers as to why NADA had sent an expired kit for sample collection in December 2023.
Bajrang said, “They have no answers and they do not want to take responsibility for their mistakes, they just want to harass the athletes for their own salvation.” But if someone raises questions, he is targeted so that he cannot continue his game. Why doesn’t NADA answer about the expired kit?” He asked, ”Why doesn’t NADA answer about the fact that I was pressurized to collect my sample between two matches, even though they knew I had the next one? There were only 20 minutes to prepare for the match.
Bajrang said that he will not accept defeat in this matter. “If NADA wants to challenge the wrestlers’ grit and determination to stand up for their rights for the sake of its ego, let it do so,” he said. The wrestler is here and will fight till the end. My lawyers will file their reply in time.” Bajrang has been given time till July 11 to accept the charges or request a hearing.
