Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 11: The doping scandal that has hit Indian sports like never before has proved to be a wake up call for the Sports Authority of India (SAI). On Monday July 11, its Bangalore complex was searched by the officials of The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in a clean-up act.

The NADA team collected samples of urine, blood, medicines and food supplements from various athletes who are under training at the complex.

"We have taken samples of the supplies kept in the store as well as in the rooms of the hostels. We have also collected random urine and blood samples of the athletes," V Jayaram, a doctor and member of the NADA team, told reporters.

However, he did not divulge details of of the number of samples collected, nor from whom they were taken.

The team also questioned the athletes, both men and women, and searched their rooms. They were also asked about the food supplied at the complex.

Quarter-milers Ashwini Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Juana Murmu, Priyanka Pawar and Tiana Mary Thomas, shot-putter Sonia and men's long-jumper Hari Krishnan Muralidharan have tested positive in dope tests so far.

The doping scandal has led to sacking of Ukranian coach Yuri Ogorobonik, who trained the six women athletes who have tested positive for banned substances.

Similar raids by the NADA team are expected in other SAI centres also, in the next few days.