New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) Virender Sehwag was the most high profile inductee in the Anti-Doping Appeals Panel (ADAP) of the NADA but the former India captain is yet to attend a single hearing, raising a question mark about his presence in the body.

On November 9 last year, Sehwag was included in the six-member panel along with Justice RV Easwar (head), advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, former Delhi captain Vinay Lamba, Dr Naveen Dang and Dr Harsh Mahajan.

ADAP is the highest body where an athlete can appeal against the sanctions imposed by the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP).

However, Sehwag has not attended a single hearing of ADAP since the new panel was formed.

"Virender Sehwag has not resigned from the ADAP Panel. He is very much a part of the panel. But yes, he has excused himself from the panel hearings till date," a source in the NADA told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Incidentally, all the other members of the ADAP panel have attended multiple hearings.

Sehwag did not respond to the multiple messages sent to him with a query as to why he has not been able to attend any of the hearings conducted by the ADAP.

After formation of the new ADAP, powerlifter Sarita Rani, boxer Ranjan Mumgai, minor volleyball player Ayush have appealed against the sanctions imposed on them.

The NADA website reveals that Sehwag has already excused himself for the upcoming dates of hearing.

The upcoming dates include August 10, when the ADAP panel has summoned the coach of Haryana spiker Ayush while on August 14, hurdler Jithin Paul's final order will be issued along with a hearing of 4x400m relay specialist Priyanka Panwar.

For August 10, the ADAP panel comprises advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, Dr Harsh Mahajan and Vinay Lamba while on August 14, the panel will be represented by Justice RV Easwar and Vinay Lamba.

On August 23, the same panel will hear the appeals of boxer Oinam Geeta Chanu and Shailender. On September 6, the panel will hear the appeal of Health Fitness Trust run by former athlete Sumita Godara. PTI KHS PM PM 07301718 NNNNKorea will pose a big challenge. I can't guarantee a medal. But I will give my best. I realised where I lacked during the World Cup. I will work on those areas. In Asian Games I will have to score more, may be 14.2 or 14.3 will give me a chance to win a medal," she said.

Nandi said Dipa will look to increase the difficulty level ahead of the Asian Games.

"The gold has given her a lot of confidence and there is a month's time, so we will try to increase the difficulty level now. She will have to go for a score of 14.5 to win a medal. It will be a big challenge," he said.

"If we can go from 360 to 540 in Handspring and Tsukuhara 720, then it will be a big boost. And if we can bring her back to her level in Produnova, then we can challenge at the world level since qualifying for Olympics is the aim."

Talking about her performance at World Challenge Cup, Dipa said: "I scored 14.15 which is not a bad score, which can hopefully grant me a place in the final of Asian Games. Of course, increasing difficulty is important but I can't take too much risk with my leg, I will go by what my coach decides."

Asked if she ever felt disheartened during the injury phase, Dipa said: "I was nervous because a lot happens in two years. Body changes. Difficulty levels also changed. It took a lot of mental and physical strength but I had no doubt about my comeback.

"A lot of people said it is extremely difficult for gymnasts to come back after surgery, some were saying I am finished since it was two years after Olympics.

"But I was ready to go through the surgery after I knew I had an ACL. There are other sportspersons who made a successful comeback. I tried to take it positively and due to the support of my coach, family, physio, SAI, Sports Ministry, GoSports I could make a comeback.

"I feel blessed that all celebrities supported me. They congratulated me. The last two years, I faced a lot of criticism with people saying I should give up and sit at home, and I am finished. So I am glad that I was not forgotten."

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)