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Vijender’s samples drug-free: Ministry
MS Unnikrishnan/ Gagan K Teja/TNS

New Delhi/Patiala April 16
Boxer Vijender Singh can breath easy as the out-of-competition test conducted on him for banned substances has turned out to be negative, which will hopefully clear his name from the alleged use of heroin.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said here today that it was “glad to announce that on the basis of these tests none of the boxers were found to have used any banned substances in the recent past”.

Vijender Singh, along with four others, was subjected to an out-of-competition test for banned substances on April 3 after the ministry asked the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to conduct test on him following reports in the media that he, along with his sparring partner Ram Singh, had been using recreational drug heroin, which figures among banned substances during in-competition tests. Following the ministry’s fiat, NADA conducted a “full menu test” on Vijender and others, which included testing for psychotropic substances, though tests were only carried out on blood and urine samples, and not on hair samples.

Vijender was not available for his comments.

Ever since Vijender’s name figured in the multi-crore drug haul in Punjab following the recovery of his wife’s car outside a flat in Zirakpur from where the drugs were found, the boxer had been under a cloud of suspicion. The statements of statements of NRI Anoop Singh Kahlon and Vijender’s sparring partner Ram Singh, implicating Vijender, put further pressure on him.

Vijender had, however, maintained that he was innocent. Though he refused to give samples to the Punjab Police, he agreed to give these to NADA. The boxer could not make it to the Indian contingent that would compete in Cyprus and Cuba in the coming days.

Samples were taken on April 3

Vijender and four others were subjected to an out-of-competition test for banned substances on April 3.

Tests were conducted after the sports ministry asked NADA to conduct the test on him

Reports said that he, along with his sparring partner Ram Singh, had been using recreational drug heroin

Cops reject report

The Fatehgarh Sahib police has rejected the NADA report. SSP Hardial Singh Mann said if the body was really serious about testing the boxer for drugs, it should have taken his hair and nail samples. — TNS.