Friday, September 22 2006 11:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: A fresh doping storm is brewing with India being named Thursday (21 Sep, 2006) as one of the four countries whose athletes return positive dope tests in the recent South Asian Games.

The Sri Lanka Olympic Committee (SLOC) refuses to divulge either the names or number of the athletes who had tested positive but said the respective national associations have been informed of the findings of the drug tests done at a lab in Malaysia.

Hemasiri Fernando, President of the SLOC, says the preliminary investigation normally lasted 24 days and the rules do not permit the hosts to reveal the names of athletes till the process is completed.

The news of Sri Lankan woman sprinter Jani Chathurangani de Silva and Pakistani men boxers Nauman Karim and Dur Mahmud having tested positive at the Games came two days ago.

Nepal is said to be the fourth country that has turned in a positive test.

According to Fernando, the Malaysian lab reports are made available two days ago and three weeks remain for the investigation process to be completed.

It is upto the respective countries to reveal the names of athletes who had tested positive, he says.

Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympic Association, denies having received any communication from Sri Lanka.

"I have absolutely no idea about any such positive dope tests. We are yet to be informed," Kalmadi tells sources.

India emerges atop the medal table with 118 gold, 69 silver and 47 bronze in the 10th edition of the South Asian Games that is held from August 18 to 28.