Times of India: Be cautious about doping in Rio: Pillay

By Shailendra Awasthi

MUMBAI: Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay has warned Indian players to be very cautious about possibility of getting caught in doping net at the Rio Olympics. Former India skipper has told them to be very watchful about what they eat with just over a month to go for the Summer Games.

“With just over one month to go for Rio, our boys should be watchful about what they eat to keep fit. And also they should be very alert about not taking any medicine which is prohibited in the list of World Anti-Doping Agency,” said 47year-old on the sidelines of players’ auction of the Mumbai Super League table tennis at National Sports Club of India on Tuesday. Pillay has also become a co-owner of one of the 10 teams, Blazing Bashers.

“At Rio we have to ensure to do well against lowly teams in our pool while putting major emphasis on major teams like Germany and Netherlands. We should take one match at a time,” observed four-time Olympians.

Pillay felt that India has a good chance of doing well at Rio because we will be at full strength. “Just remember the team that did extremely well in London (Champions Trophy) was not our full strength team. Most of big stars like Sardar Singh, Danish Mujtaba etc. were missing in London yet we performed so well. I am sure we will be at full strength at Rio and this team can do wonders,” said Pillay.

Former India skipper felt that the fantastic performance in the recently concluded Champions Trophy was possible only because Indian team was extremely fit.