Virender Sehwag was Reluctant to Join NADA, Joined on Request of Rajyavardhan Rathore

Former Indian opener and arguably the most feared batsmen during his playing days, Virender Sehwag has clarified the fact that he was reluctant to be a part of the Anti-Doping Panel of NADA.

He further stated he chose to be a part of the committee only on the request from Sports Minister, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Earlier Sehwag’s absence from the NADA hearing raised eyebrows. Hence the clarification was required.

Sehwag felt only Olympians should be part of the committee and not cricketers. He was asked to be a part of the six-member NADA panel back in November 2017. However, the former opener hasn’t attended a single hearing till date.

Virender Sehwag feels only Olympians should be part of the committee and not cricketers

“I feel former Olympians should be a part of the NADA panels rather than cricketers. The sportspersons in Olympic categories are more in sync with the working procedure of NADA,” Sehwag was quoted as saying by PTI today.

“The Olympians know more than someone like me about anti-doping codes. I was initially reluctant about being a part of the panel. I have always been a part of BCCI, and I have rarely undergone dope tests, save the ICC tournaments that we played. So I have no hesitation in admitting that my knowledge is limited,” Sehwag further added.

Joined the committee only on the request of the sports minister says Virender Sehwag 

“It was because of the request from the Sports Minister that I gave my consent. He told me that someone of my stature could make a difference,” Sehwag said.

He further clarified he was not even informed about the dates for the first couple of hearings by the NADA.

“I can put it on record that I was not told about the dates of the first two hearings. Then on the third hearing, I couldn’t, unfortunately, attend as my son was not well,” he informed.

Sehwag is surprised to be not invited for the meetings 

Sehwag has been surprised to see him not getting invited for the hearings. However, it is slated to be held in August and September, as per the NADA website. The panel has been announced for all the hearings. However, the name of Sehwag was nowhere to be found.

“This I am hearing from you. Now if someone from NADA contacts me now and I can probably confirm my availability. But if I am asked on August 6 about August 10 hearing, it might happen that I have prior commitments,” Sehwag said.

He further claimed he is not aware that for how much time the panel will be in the helm.

“I need to check the duration of the panel, whether it’s one year or two years,” he said.