Patiala: Hours before leaving the country, India's outgoing weightlifting coach Magad Slamma on Thursday dropped another bombshell by alleging that Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari deliberately avoided dope tests fearing she may test positive.
"When a team of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) came in the camp, Malleswari became an official of the (Indian Weightlifting) Federation and soon after the officials left she became camper," said Slamma, who had a very brief stint with the Indian team.
Before leaving the NIS complex, he said that Commonwealth Games gold winner was also "not fit for the game" and "IWF was a group of manipulators and they have been protecting dope offender".
"The International Weightlifting Federation has asked for the list of women weightlifters and the Indian Federation has not supplied the list yet to them," he said.
Slamma had submitted his resignation to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on January 23, alleging doping practices among top Indian lifters.
"I don't want to risk my reputation. I train coaches all over the world. I am not here for money," Slamma had said.
The Egyptian coach, who was recommended to India by the game's world governing body, had proposed to select the team for the Asian Championships in Kanazawa City, Japan, based on his assessment and independent of in-house trials.
Slamma's proposal suggested elimination of the entire 'old guard' including Kunjarani Devi and Malleswari and at least four other seniors who have been doing well in the national teams in recent times but that was not acceptable to the Indian officials.
He had also proposed selection of eight juniors/sub-juniors and four seniors among women as the core group for the Asian Championship camp along with three men.
Malleswari expressed surprise over Slamma's allegations against her and said she was open to dope tests anytime in her career.
"I cannot understand what he is saying and why he is saying. I am surprised why he is targetting me. I have not trained under him, not practised with him. I did not know him before," the two-time world champion said.
"I have been doing weightlifting for the last 17-18 years. I have won medals in World Championships, Asian Games and the Olympics. Nobody gives medals like that. In these meets, dope tests are held before leaving the country and during the championships.
"The present camp started on February 20 and all the senior and junior girls were tested. Even today the officials along with doctors checked my room. Anytime and anywhere, I am always open for test," she said.
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