Inam Butt set to return after two-month doping ban

Pakistan’s ace-wrestler and administrator Mohammad Inam Butt has completed a two-month suspension imposed over an anti-doping violation and has been cleared to resume wrestling activities, paving the way for him to represent Pakistan at the Asian Games as a coach.

According to documents and sources familiar with the case Inam's suspension was effective from July 19 to September 18 and he has now been informed by the International Testing Agency (ITA) and international wrestling authorities that he is eligible to return to his wrestling duty.

The development comes at a cost, however, with Inam's silver medal from the Asian Beach Games being withdrawn as a consequence of the anti-doping case.

Inam had tested positive for a prohibited substance after taking medication for an eye condition. He told anti-doping authorities that the medicine had been taken for legitimate medical treatment and was not intended to enhance his sporting performance.

The authorities accepted his explanation regarding the medical use of the drug, but Inam had not informed the relevant anti-doping officials in time about the medication, according to the sources.

Under anti-doping rules, athletes are responsible for ensuring that prohibited substances used for legitimate medical purposes are properly declared and authorised where required.

The ITA subsequently accepted Inam's position and has granted him permission to use the medication for one year, according to the sources.

The case nevertheless resulted in the withdrawal of his Asian Beach Games silver medal which he had won in beach wrestling at the event in China early this year.

The wrestler had temporarily stepped away from his administrative responsibilities after the doping issue emerged. He is the secretary of the Pakistan Wrestling Federation and head of the Pakistan Athletes Commission of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), positions from which he voluntarily separated while the case was being reviewed.

Now, according to sources, he has returned to his work and will be proceeding to Japan with his wrestling squad as a coach.

Earlier Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) president Arshad Sattar was due to proceed with the team to Japan but now when Inam has returned to the fold the federation’s chief will not go.