Virender Sehwag accused of missing multiple Anti-Doping Appeals Panel meetings

After Sehwag called time on a glittering career, he took up a coach/mentor role in the Kings XI Punjab franchise, who had a decent outing this year in the IPL. Following the war of words between NADA and the BCCI, the former Indian opener was appointed to a special Anti-Doping panel in November last year. However, a NADA official reportedly told PTI sources that the Indian opener has been absent from every single meetings since then. Meanwhile, Sehwag failed to respond to the issue and has not come out with any official statement for the same as of yet. The NADA website further revealed that the Indian batsman had already excused himself for the upcoming dates of hearing. 

“Virender Sehwag has not resigned from the ADAP Panel. He is very much a part of the panel. But yes, he has excused himself from the panel hearings till date,” said a source on condition of anonymity.

The ADAP is the highest body where an Indian athlete can appeal against the sanctions imposed by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP). On November 9, Sehwag was appointed in the six-member panel along with Justice RV Easwar (head), advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, former Delhi captain and teammate Vinay Lamba, Dr Naveen Dang and Dr Harsh Mahajan. However, all the remaining members of the panel have attended all the meetings that have taken place up until now. 

The upcoming dates of the ADAP meetings include August 10, when the ADAP panel has summoned the coach of Haryana spiker Ayush. The next date is on August 14 on which hurdler Jithin Paul’s final order will be issued along with a hearing of 4x400m relay specialist Priyanka Panwar.