Japanese to help with AAG dope tests

With the Germans refusing to come, Japanese experts are likely to man the dope-test facilities during the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in Delhi from November 3 to 11.

The Japanese have responded favourably to India's request to send doctors and train their counterparts in India to conduct tests as per International Olympic Committee's norms, sources in the Sports Authority of India informed on Friday.

The Japanese came into the picture after the Germans expressed their inability citing other commitments.

On Tuesday, the Sports Authority of India communicated Germany's stance to Indian Olympic Association secretary- general Randhir Singh, who contacted IOC medical director Dr Patrick Schmasch.

Schmasch, in turn, advised Randhir Singh to get in touch Olympic Committee medical director, Japan's Yoshio Koruda, who was in India last month to inspect the dope-testing facilities for the Games.

Koruda conveyed to the SAI the problems in making arrangements at such short notice but, nevertheless, assured he would do everything for the smooth conduct of the Games, the sources said.

India will depend on temporary accreditation for the Games, subject to import of international standard machines from Germany and the presence of IOC qualified doctors.

The equipment, costing Rs 3.5 million, is already on its way from Hong Kong and the doctors are expected to be in Delhi by mid-October.