Sri Lankan boxer''s hearing delayed

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) A hearing into the doping case ofgold-medal winning Sri Lankan boxer Manju Wanniarachchi hasbeen postponed until May, the Commonwealth Games Federationsaid today.

Wanniarachchi, who won a gold medal in the 56kg weightcategory in boxing during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhilast year, was suppose to face CGF''s Federation Court today inKingston, Jamaica after returning an adverse analyticalfinding from an anti-doping test during the mega-event.

The federation said that the hearing was postponed at therequest of the athlete and his legal team after an illnessprecluded Wanniarachchi''s legal representative from attendingthe Court in Jamaica today.

Now the hearing will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiain May.

CGF President Michael Fennell said the decision to delaythe hearing had not been taken lightly and the arrangementswith all parties concerned had been made for the matter to beheard on January 17th.

"However, under the rules of the CGF''s Anti-DopingStandard (ADS) and the WADA code, all athletes are entitled tolegal representation at their hearing and consequently thelate application for a postponement was agreed.

"While the delay is regrettable, it is unavoidable giventhe circumstances." PTI CM