Wrestler Satender Malik now banned for evading dope test

Tribune News Service

Vinayak Padmadeo

New Delhi, June 20

A month after getting banned for life for allegedly assaulting a referee, heavyweight wrestler Satender Malik has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failure to provide his urine sample during an inter-Services championship last year.

Malik had won the 125kg gold medal at the meet, which was held in New Delhi in October 2021. He failed to provide his sample despite being notified by the doping control officer (DCO) at the meet.

In his report, the officer said that Malik ran away from the venue. Subsequently, his coach NK Malkhan was notified. Malkhan said that Malik went to Noida’s Vinayak Hospital to get treated for stomach pain.

However, when NADA investigator Sunil Saluja sought details from the hospital, it was found that no patient in the name of Satender Malik was attended to by the medical staff.

Subsequently, he was served with a Notice of Charge and was put on provisional suspension on November 9. However, the wrestler got the provisional suspension lifted, pending full disposal of the case.

However, after the hearing, which was held through video-conferencing on April 27, Malik was banned for four years.

“In the facts and circumstances of this case and reports of DCO and investigator it is confirmed that the athlete intentionally evaded the sample collection process,” the order dated June 15 said.

“In view of the above, it is established that the violation under Article 2.3 of the Anti-Doping Rules has taken place. Once a violation of Anti-Doping Rules has been established, sanctions of individuals provided under Article 10 of the Anti-doping Rules, 2021 must ensue. The hearing Panel holds that since the Athlete has intentionally evaded dope testing, he is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 for ineligibility for a period of 4 years,” the order further said.

Yadav, who appeared on his own behalf, said he did not hire a lawyer to defend his case as he thought it was a minor offence. “I did not think it was that serious a charge, that is why I did not hire a lawyer,” Malik told The Tribune.

“Bahut bura time chal raha hai mera (these are tough times for me for sure). We will appeal against this ban soon and I am in the process of hiring a lawyer,” he added.

Last month, the Air Force wrestler was banned by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for assaulting referee Jagbir Singh. The incident happened after Malik lost his trial for the Commonwealth Games against Mohit.