Vijender undergoes dope test at NADA

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS):

Beijing Games bronze medallist Vijender Singh underwent testing for drugs here Wednesday after Sports Minister Jitendra Singh asked the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to collect samples from the star boxer, who has been accused by Punjab Police of having taking heroin 12 times.

The sports minister said NADA collected samples of Vijender’s hair as well as blood. Punjab Police had claimed that Vijender had taken heroin 12 times as an adventure.

“This morning blood samples of Vijender Singh and other boxers have been collected. We are awaiting the results. I think all the sportspersons and the country is disappointed,” said the minister.

Jitendra said he was disappointed with Vijendra and wants the boxer to be punished if he is found guilty.

“If Vijender has done something wrong he should be penalised and punished. But what after that. We have to look forward and rehabilitate them so that they perform for the country again in future,” he said.

Vijender and his sparring partner Ram Singh were linked to the drug scandal after Punjab Police recovered drugs worth Rs.13 crore from an NRI Anoop Singh Kahlon at his house in Zirakpur near Mohali. A car registered to Vijender’s wife was found outside the house.