New Delhi:
Indian Weightlifting Federation on Saturday claimed that lifters would bag 15 medals in the Commonwealth Games though their participation depends on the national body paying a hefty fine of USD 3,75,000 to the international federation by this month.
IWF will have to pay the fine by August 31 if the Indian lifters are to take part in the Commonwealth Games after the international body imposed a fine of USD five lakh following six lifters failed WADA dope tests last year.
"The weightlifters will get at least 14 to 15 medals in the Games and four or five will be gold," IWF President B P Baishya told reporters during the selection trial cum Commonwealth Games test event here.
He said that his federation was hopeful that the government and Indian Olympic Association would bail it out by giving the necessary money of nearly Rs two crore on loan.
"Out of the USD five lakh imposed by the international federation we have paid USD 125,000 from our side. We have requested the government and the IOA for a loan of Rs one crore each to pay the fine by the dateline of August 31. I am sure they will help us out," he added.
"India is aiming to finish second in the medal tally in the Commonwealth Games but it will not happen without the 15 medals from weightlifting. It is a matter of national concern (that the lifters take part). So the government will help us," he said.
Baishya, a Member of Parliament, said his federation would do its utmost to root out doping in the sport.
"Our policy is to see that the sport is completely free of doping. We want medals but we don't want medals through doping. I don't mind if we don't get medals but we should not get it through doping," he said.
"I am admitting that due to lack of administration lots of problems has occurred. Since we took charge from December 27, 2009 there has not been any single case of doping," he added.
The IWF chief said the lifters are getting enough money for food supplement.
"We are spending Rs 300 on food supplements on each weightlifter out of which government is giving Rs 200 and we are putting Rs 100 in it," he said.
In the two-day selection trial which began today at the weightlifting stadium at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, competitions were held in seven categories -- three in women and four in men. Trials in the remaining eight categories will be held tomorrow.
15 lifters -- eight men and seven women -- will be selected for the Commonwealth Games out of the 33 in the core group who are taking part in the trial.
One of the top Commonwealth Games medal contender K Ravi Kumar of Services bettered the national as well as Commonwealth record in men's 69 kg jerk event with a lift of 180kg though it would not be counted as official record as it was a selection trial.
Other categories in men's section for which trials were held today were 56kg, 62kg and 77kg. Three lifters each took part in 62kg and 69kg while two competed in 56kg and 77kg.
In women's section, Ng Sonia lifted total of 173kg (74+99) while A Sandhya had an effort of 167kg (73+94) in a two-lifter trial while veteran Sanamacha Chanu, who returned to lifting after serving ban for dope offence, was upstaged by younger competitors in 53kg.
In 58kg, Renu Bala lifted 197kg (85+112) finished first ahead of Chandrashori and Maibam Sunibala.
International Weightlifting Federation Technical Committee chairman Sam Coffa, who oversaw the event along with another official from the world body, said as of today there was no technical issue during the trials.
"As far as technical issues and lifting arena are concerned there is nothing wrong as of today. We will see it again tomorrow," he said.
Asked about the reports of shoddy work and poor quality in the construction of the stadium, Coffa said, "I am not the one to complain about these issues. My concern is to see whether there could be technical issues in holding the event."
Selection Trial Results:
Women 48kg: Ng Soniya 173kg (74+99); A Sandhya 167kg (73+94).
Women 53kg: Swati Singh 177kg (76+101); Minati Sethi 175kg (75+100); Sanamacha Chanu 172kg (75+97).
Women 58kg: Renu Bala 197 (85+112); Chadrashori 181kg (80+101); Maibam Sunibala 174kg (78+96).
Men 56kg: Sukhen Dey 251kg (111+140); V S Rao 244kg (104+140).
Men 62kg: Rustam Sarang 266kg (115+151); Omkar Otari 265kg (122+143); N Sunil Kumar 260kg (120+140).
Men 69kg: K Ravi Kumar 321kg (141+180); G Elumalai 290kg (130+160); P Rambabu 285kg (128+157).
Men 77kg: CPR Sudhir Kumar 301kg (135+166); L B Singh 298kg (135+163).