IBF slaps three-month ban on Aparna Popat

The statement said Popat, who was a member of India8217;s Uber Cup team, had been randomly selected for a routine dope test during the Thomas and Uber Cup First and semi-Final stages in New Delhi in February.

An analysis of the A sample at an International Olympic Committee IOC Laboratory in Penang found the presence of the stimulant Phenylpropanolamine8217; at a concentration level above the stipulated IOC limit, the disciplinary committee, which met on March 11, said.

Popat, the statement said handed over at the hearing a packet of D8217;Cold Total, a medicine used for the treatment of colds and flu, which she had taken inadvertently at the time of sampling.

The statement did not make it clear if the sample was taken from urine or otherwise.

According to the statement, the three-month ban will be effective from March 13 to June 12, 2000.

8220;Popat will forfeit the world ranking points she acquired during her Uber Cup matches in New Delhi. Points earned in subsequent competitions remain unaffected,8221; it said.

Will train with greater dedication8217;

Reacting to the ban, Popat said she was determined not to allow the ban to affect her performance, form or fitness. She said she was continuing her training for forthcoming tournaments with 8220;greater dedication and sense of purpose.8221;

Popat said a few days prior to the commencement of Thomas/ Uber Cup preliminaries in New Delhi, she had taken D8217;Cold Total as she was suffering from severe cold. These facts had been declared to all concerned, including the medical panel, prior to her participation in the tournament, she said in a statement.

8220;I do not take this or any other medication on a regular basis,8221; she said.

8220;This medicine, as I realised later, has an ingredient, Phenylpropanolamine commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections and a sore throat, and its presence, if it is over the stipulated limits, may invite sanctions.8221;

According to the statement, Popat has explained to the IBF that the presence of this substance in the sample could only be due to that medication.

Popat said she had pointed out to the IBF that her use of the medicine was 8220;inadvertent and without knowledge that it contained any substance, the use of which has been disapproved of by the IBF.8221;

According to the IBF statement, the Disciplinary Committee had stated that although Popat was guilty of a doping offence, it had decided she had inadvertently taken the banned substance, contained in the D8217;Cold Total medication.

8220;IBF reaffirms its tough stance on doping in the sport, even in cases where banned substances are taken inadvertently. This is only the fourth time in the last ten years that IBF has had a positive case Popat8217;s to deal with,8221; it said.

Commenting on the ban, IBF Chief Executive, Neil Cameron said: 8220;I am disappointed that this case means that our anti-doping education actions have proved insufficient. We must redouble our efforts.8221;