2010 Asian games silver medallist, Manpreet Singh failed to clear a dope test conducted by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) recently. The boxer, who has been associated with this sport for a decade and has been competing internationally for six years claimed that he had taken a cough syrup which had some ingredients banned by the NADA. He has been tested positive in a Beta Agonist test for a salt called ‘terbutaline’.
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“I was driving to Pune for training on September 9 and already suffering from cold and was sneezing too. On the way, I stopped at a chemist shop in hope of getting some medicine that doesn't have any banned substance in it. I took a cough syrup and some medicines as recommended by the chemist for two days,” he said when asked about the reason for his consumption of banned ingredients.
The boxer who competes in the 82-91 kg category also said, “I have played many international tournaments and won medals for my country. I started my career in 2004 and since then I have given my entire life to boxing. I respect the sport and the person who thinks this will never take any substance intentionally to enhance his performance in competitions.”
Manpreet, a part of the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) went to Myungyeong in South Korea with his team to compete at the Military World Games. After being tested positive, he was banned from the tournament. Singh said that he had a good chance of winning a medal there.
Manpreet has asked for a ‘B’ sample test and until the results from this test comes, he is free to compete in any event. However, if he is tested positive in the sample ‘B’ test as well, any medal the boxer wins will be taken away from him.
While the boxer is highly disappointed with the dope test results, he finds some comfort at the fact that the chief national coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu is supporting him. He also mentioned that his teammates, who call him ‘Paji’ have also been very confident of him for the sample ‘B’ test results.
Manpreet missed the Olympic berth in 2008 and considers the Rio Olympics his last chance. “I want to win an Olympic medal and move on to professional boxing,” he said when asked about his future plans.
It looks quite improbable, keeping in mind the tough anti-doping rules of the NADA, that the former Asian Games medallist will emerge victorious. Although the boxer has put the blame of the dope test results on his ignorance, India’s top shuttler, Aparna Popat faced a nine-month ban in the year 2000 in a similar case.
