IWF's deadline for fine payment extended

In a respite to cash-strapped Indian Weightlifting Federation, the international body has extended the deadline for payment of the last two installments of a doping fine amounting to a whopping $3,75,000.

IWF were to pay $1 lakh and $2,75,000 as third and fourth installments by July 15 and August 15 respectively but with the money still to be arranged from the Indian Olympic Association and the government, it had requested the international body to extend the deadline.

International Weightlifting Federation has agreed to the request and has now asked India to pay the two installments by August 31 failing which the country would be barred from fielding its lifters in the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

India will also not be allowed in the World Championships in Turkey from September 17 to 26 if the fine is not paid.

India was slapped a $5 lakh fine after six lifters flunked out-of-competition WADA tests in September last year.

"We have received a letter from the International Weightlifting Federation and we have been asked to pay $3,75,000 (Rs 1.77 crore approximately) by August 31. If we fail then we will not be allowed to take part in the Commonwealth Games," IWF President Birendra Prasad Baishya said.     Baishya said he has asked for Rs 1 crore each from the IOA and the Sports Ministry as interest free loan and the response from both has been positive.

"We have asked IOA and Sports Ministry for around Rs 1 crore interest free loan. IOA has assured me help and the response from the Sports Ministry has also been positive," he said.

"Our lifters will get 12 to 14 medals in the Commonwealth Games. If we don't pay the fine by August 31, the country will have to miss the medals," he added.

IWF paid the first installment of $50,000 in January before the South Asian Games in Bangladesh and the second installment of $75,000 before the April 4 deadline which allowed the lifters to take part in the Asian Youth and Junior Championships at Tashkent from April 7-16.