We will win 15 medals in weightlifting in CWG: Baishya

Indian Weightlifting Federation claimed that lifters would bag 15 medals in the Commonwealth Games.

New Delhi: Indian Weightlifting Federation today claimed that lifters would bag 15 medals in the

Commonwealth Games though their participation depends on the national body paying a hefty fine of USD 3,75,000 to the international federation by this month. IWF will have to pay the fine by August 31 if the Indian lifters are to take part in the Commonwealth Games after the international body imposed a fine of USD five lakh following six lifters failed WADA dope tests last year. "The weightlifters will get at least 14 to 15 medals in the Games and four or five will be gold," IWF President B P Baishya told reporters during the selection trial cum Commonwealth Games test event here. He said that his federation was hopeful that the government and Indian Olympic Association would bail it out by giving the necessary money of nearly Rs two crore on loan. "Out of the USD five lakh imposed by the international federation we have paid USD 125,000 from our side. We have requested the government and the IOA for a loan of Rs one crore each to pay the fine by the dateline of August 31. I am sure they will help us out," he added. "India is aiming to finish second in the medal tally in the Commonwealth Games but it will not happen without the 15 medals from weightlifting. It is a matter of national concern (that the lifters take part). So the government will help us," he said. Baishya, a Member of Parliament, said his federation would do its utmost to root out doping in the sport. "Our policy is to see that the sport is completely free of doping. We want medals but we don`t want medals through doping. I don`t mind if we don`t get medals but we should not get it through doping," he said. "I am admitting that due to lack of administration lots of problems has occurred. Since we took charge from December 27, 2009 there has not been any single case of doping," he added. The IWF chief said the lifters are getting enough money for food supplement. "We are spending Rs 300 on food supplements on each weightlifter out of which government is giving Rs 200 and we are putting Rs 100 in it," he said. In the two-day selection trial which began today at the weightlifting stadium at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, competitions were held in seven categories -- three in women and four in men. Trials in the remaining eight categories will be held tomorrow. 15 lifters -- eight men and seven women -- will be selected for the Commonwealth Games out of the 33 in the core group who are taking part in the trial. Bureau Report