Patiala, Feb 7 (UNI) The National Weightlifting Coaching Camp for seniors and juniors, which was underway here at the NIS, has been called off due to lack of discipine in the camp.

Executive Director of Sports Authority of India Laxman Singh Ranawat told UNI here today that ''I have taken this step to call off the camp since only half of the lifters have reported for the senior and junior camps and I cannot allow this kind of indiscipline.'' ''I have told the secretary-general of Indian Weightlifting Federation, Balbir Bhatia that first the lifters have to be disciplined and only then we will give the permission to hold the camp at the NIS,'' he said.

The camp for the seniors was slated for January 17 to April 24 to prepare the lifters for Asian Weightlifting Championship to be held in Japan towards the end of April.

Eight men and 14 women lifters were called for the camp, but only four men and eight women lifters reported here at the NIS.

The coaches attached to the camp were Dronacharya awardee Hansa Sharma, Harnam Singh and Tamil Selvan. Of these three coaches, Hansa Sharma had gone back to her hometown, Lucknow, and got her leave extended again and again on medical grounds while Tamil Selvan did not report for the camp.

Similarly, the camp for Juniors was slated for January 17 to October 5 to prepare the Indian squad for Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championship in October in Pune.

Fifteen boys and sixteen girls were called for the junior camp, but only nine boys and seven girls reported here at the NIS.

This is the first time that any Executive Director of SAI has taken such a bold step against the Federation.

UNI PS AB DB1957