20 athletes fail dope test, list to be out soon: IOA

Dehra Dun, May 6 (UNI) Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Randhir Singh disclosed that twenty athletes from different disciplines failed dope tests in Guwahati National Games and their names would be made public very soon.

''In the tests conducted by dope experts, some twenty samples have been found positive. The list will be made public within a week.'' Mr Randhir told UNI at the sidelines of All India Golden Jubilee Basketball Championship final at Welham Girl's School here yesterday.

He, however, refused to comment on who returned positive from which discipline.

There had been reports of athletes failing dope tests in the Guwahati Games and delay in declaring the names has added fuel to the controversy, but now Mr Randhir's has made the disclosure the attention will now be shifted to who were the culprits.

The IOA top official was optimistic about Indian athletes' good show in the second Afro Asian Games in Algeria, saying, ''Indians representing Asia are expected to win medals in shooting, athletics and weightlifting.'' Mr Randhir also made it clear that SAF Winter Games will be held in Uttarakhand but expressed concern over delay in preparatory work.

''SAF Winter Games will be definetly held here and there is no confusion of any kind on the issue.

''Now that I am here, I will meet Chief Minister B C Khanduri and Chief Secretary SK Das on this issue,'' he said, terming it a prestigious event and a golden opportunity that has come India's way.

UNI