Nearly half of India's national Kabaddi wrestling team has been suspended after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Samples taken by the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed 13 of 29 squad members looking to contest for a place in the Asian Games were allegedly guilty, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Kabaddi involves two teams of seven, with one athlete sent into the opponent's half of the field to tag or pin a rival while holding their breath.
According to the news provider, since becoming a feature of the Asian Games, competition for places in the India line-up has become fierce.
Ved Prakash, a leading Kabaddi player and president of the All India Circle Kabaddi Federation, said: "It is shameful to hear that many players had taken drugs to pass the trials."
Founder and chief executive officer of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative Victor Conte recently told the Independent that drug use in sport is rampant, particularly in boxing.
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