Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31

In an embarrassing moment, two local athletes have been allegedly caught submitting forged certificates in the 19th National Federation Cup Junior U-20 Athletics Championships, at Sangrur. The athletes did not participate in any event. However, action has been already initiated against them for submitting ‘tampered’ documents. The athletes will be facing a lifetime ban, confirmed officials.

Tamper with timings

The athletes have allegedly produced ‘tampered’ performance certificates in order to gain access to the championships. As per the criteria, athletes have to submit their respective state championship performance certificates, along with timing clocked in an event, through online mode. These two athletes have allegedly tampered with timings in order to qualify for the championship.

The athletes have allegedly produced ‘tampered’ performance certificates in order to gain access to the championships. As per the criteria, athletes have to submit their respective state championships performance certificates, along with timing clocked in an event, through online mode. These two athletes have allegedly tampered with timings in order to qualify for the championship.

“The athletes have submitted forged documents. They were called for the event, but they didn’t turn up at the venue. Our association has nothing to do with it as the athletes have sent a direct entry to the national federation. Committee members will take some action against both athletes. As per rule book, the athletes may face a lifetime ban. A show-cause notice has already been issued to them,” said Jaspinder Singh, secretary, Chandigarh Athletics Association.

The athletes have reportedly timed 11.16s in the state meet, but in the federation cup the timing was tampered to 10.88s.

“As per the regular criteria, we have crosschecked the timings claimed by the athletes and came to know about the forgery. We have forwarded the matter to the state association. After discussion, the federation will put a penalty on these two athletes,” said Ravinder Chaudhary, secretary, Athletics Federation of India.

“This is for the first time such an incident has happened. Despite having every record, the athletes confidently submitted the forged document. A submission was also made by some parents. This act attracts the highest penalty and should be set as an example for others,” said a parent

The championship is also a qualification for the World Junior Athletics Championships.