Worried by the taint of doping in sport, the Australian Sikh Games organising committee has taken some tough decisions to make Kabaddi safe and clean from drugs.
Kabaddi final of the Australian Sikh Games had some ugly scenes after spectators started throwing bottles and chairs in the Kabaddi ground.
They had waited for three hours in the scorching sun to watch the much anticipated Kabaddi finals between Singh Sabha Sports Club Melbourne and Baba Deep Singh Club Woolgoolga.
Navjot Kailay, Kabaddi co-ordinator of the Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC) told SBS Punjabi that they're in the opinion ‘if the integrity of the game can't be guaranteed then it is best cancelled’.
“Our focus is to bring integrity and discipline at the Sikh Games. We also aim to make games drug-free” he said.
Mr Kailay said that they're pleased with the responses from most of the Kabaddi clubs but they'd issues with some star Kabaddi players who denied following the drug-testing policy.
A Kabaddi match at the Australian Sikh Games, Sydney. Source: Supplied
"Just after the semi-final matches some players refused to give drug-samples leaving us no choice to take this tough decision.
“If they want to play in our grounds they need to comply. We don’t care if they are stars or have big fan following.
“Moreover, this was not something new....The policy we’d was approved by all clubs and ANSSACC abides to follow it irrespective of all the pressure.
Ever since the ANSSACC abandoned the final match, social media has seen a debate ignited over the decision taken.
Facebook user Mandeep Johal questioned the transparency of the current drug-testing system.
Johal wrote on Facebook, “Why has the system of drug testing changed for the final? This is what was being questioned and not a refusal to drug test. Woolgoolga had always complied with the testing, it’s the way that they tested was the issue.”
Paul Sangha wrote, “My question is why leave it till the end to bring the truth and honesty, why wasn’t it announced in the open match.”
Answering to the queries, Mr Kailey told SBS Punjabi that the drug testing was implemented from the day one of the tournament and was not left to the last game.
Spectators started throwing bottles and chairs in the ground to protest the match cacellation decesion. Source: SBS
“We’d taken around thirty random samples and we’re planning to take at least twenty more before this denial happened,” he said.
“We had drug testing in place for players of Hockey, Kabaddi and Soccer. It was only the kabaddi players who objected to the testing.
“We deny any allegations. There is only one agenda and that is to keep these games safe and clean.
“Australia doesn’t want to see their young Kabaddi players thrashed by druggy cheats.
A Facebook user Rajinder Sunner wanted a strict action against the player and clubs involved in the drug scandal.
“They should be banned for 5 Years. There is no place for drugs in Sports,” he wrote.
Gurdial Singh Rai, President of Baba Deep Singh Club Woolgoolga told SBS Punjabi that there were concerns over the implementation of the existing drug policy.
“We feel we’ve been specifically targeted in this competition. We had the best players who had potential to bring the trophy home.
“We strongly oppose the use of drugs in sports. We acknowledge that our players denied drug-testing, but only after the insult they felt in the in the open ground.
“We’re talking about star players who have won accolades in international tournaments including the world cup in India.
"If they want to test these international players they'd get it done through some NADA [The Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies] equivelent methadologies.
“We strongly oppose the decision of cancelling the final game that left thousands of spectators waiting in the scorching heat for three hours.
Kuldeep Singh Bassi has a long-term association with Kabaddi. He told SBS Punjabi that some of the clubs were not happy with the handling of the drug policy at the Sikh games.
“In the best interest of the games, we urgently need to have a better system in place. I can tell you that some people felt that a ‘scary campaign’ was run to target a few players and clubs," said Mr Bassi.
“There is a lot to learn from this unfortunate incident. We’ve already committed to have a better drug testing methodology for our PUNVEC Kabaddi World Cup that will be held at Melbourne on 22nd April.
“People want to see international star Kabaddi players. It’s our duty that we bring them the best of the games and arrangements.
“Our players and clubs need respect. I am always in favour of a smooth run for the tournament that should be free of ‘club politics’ and unnecessary interference.
Amandeep Singh Sidhu, President ANSSACC told SBS Punjabi that they are in process of making games clean by imposing more testing and disciplinary measures.
“The fact is that doping is now tainting the rich history of the Australian Sikh Games,” he said.
“There is more to come.....We’ll soon submit a conclusive report that will also have results of the drug testing conducted at the Sikh Games in Sydney.
“With the community support, we’re here to make these games clean and safe. We won’t refrain from taking tough decisions and will not succumb to any pressures.
