4th February, 2003
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports  


ASIAN GAMES MEDALS RESTORED TO ATHLETE SUNITA RANI


"It is a proud and a happy moment for the Nation as a whole". The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Vikram Verma said this at the occasion of the Restoration of Asian Games medals to Ms. Sunita Rani here today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

He congratulated the athlete Ms. Sunita Rani for her dedicated courage all through the ordeal. He said that it is the self confidence and the belief in ourselves which has got us the victory finally. He urged her to keep up the Nation’s glory in the coming games. Indian performance in these Asian Games had been excellent but this episode overshadowed the whole event. He congratulated the Amateur Athletic Federation of India for fighting the case with full spirit.

The Minister while addressing Shri Suresh Kalmadi’s concern for a Doping Laboratory of International Standard informed that the first stage of ISO 9001 has already been achieved. With the achievement of second stage of 17025 certification, the process of having an International Standard Accredited Certified Lab shall be completed. He assured that this shall be done before the coming Afro-Asian Games.

He presented bouquets to the medallists and the Chief Coach of Busan Asian Games 2002. Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President, AAFI, AAA & IOA; Mr. Randhir Singh, Secretary General OCA & IOA; Dr. Lalit K. Bhanot, Secretary, AAFI; Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and DG, Sports Authority of India attended the function.