Hurt Kang eyes national record

Indervir Grewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 24

Davinder Singh Kang got a rousing welcome at his native village in Jalandhar district when he returned from his noteworthy performance at the World Championships in London last month. Just over a month after becoming the first Indian to enter the javelin throw final in the World Championships, the 29-year-old is left wondering: “What more do I need to do to be noticed?”

Kang has had a breakout year, winning the bronze medal at the Asian Championships, gold at two Indian GP events, and bettering his personal best by over four metres. However, the Punjab athlete was shocked when he didn’t find his name in the new TOPS list announced recently. “Initially, I wasn’t going to participate in the National Open Championships (starting tomorrow in Chennai),” Kang said. 

“But now I will; my target is to break the national record. I guess that will make the federation notice me,” added Kang, whose personal best is 84.57m. The national record — 86.48m — is held by Neeraj Chopra.

It is the federation, AFI in this case, that recommends the names to the TOPS committee. Chief national coach Bahadur Singh said that he wasn’t aware whether Kang’s name was not included, before adding that it could be due to the “case”, referring to Kang’s positive test for marijuana. “I assume his name will be added very soon,” said Bahadur Singh.

Kang’s urine samples taken at the 3rd Indian Grand Prix held on May 15 had tested positive for marijuana.

Kang wasn’t provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), since marijuana falls under the “specified substance” category. Kang said he was asked to opt for a provisional suspension, but he refused, claiming innocence. He has to prove his innocence before the NADA disciplinary panel. However, Kang said that since then he has not been contacted by NADA. “After the National Open Championships, I will contact NADA,” Kang said.

However, the delays in the recent cases of 400m runner Priyanka Panwar and weightlifter Geeta Rani show that Kang could have to wait long before the issue is resolved. A frustrated Kang said that the National Open Championships might be his last in India as he was considering a move to Italy. “I have an offer from Italy,” Kang said.

Junior Worlds gold winning para-athlete also not included 

Another athlete from Punjab — Aamit Kumar — feels that he should have been included in the TOPS list. While Kang’s case is a contentious one, para-athlete Aamit’s exclusion is baffling.

Aamit, who participates in the T42-47 category, won the 200m gold and 400m silver at the World Para Athletics Junior (U-20) Championships last month. He had won the 200m silver at the 5th China Open Para Athletics Championships in Beijing in May.

Aamit, who hails from Mandi Gobindgarh, has been training at the Punjab Institute of Sports centre at Anandpur Sahib for three years. Earlier in the year, Aamit was named the best athlete at the Nationals, having won the 100m, 200m and 400m gold medals.

State to take up case

The Punjab Sports Department and Pargat Singh, former India hockey captain and sitting MLA from Jalandhar Cantt, have decided to take up the athletes’ case with the concerned officials at the Centre.