New Delhi (PTI) Cracking the whip on dope offenders, the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has banned Lucknow SAI Centre weightlifting coach GP Sharma for one year for allegedly helping his wards take performance-enhancing drugs.

The decision was taken by the IWF on a recommendation by the Uttar Pradesh Weightlifting Federation (UPWF) which had wanted a life-ban on Sharma, also an international referee, for his alleged role in dope cases of his wards.

"(GP) Sharma shall be kept out of any coaching camp or any duties as technical official for one year," a letter from IWF General Secretary BR Gulati to UPWF said.

On complaints from many quarters -- officials, current and former lifters -- the UPWF had constituted a three-man inquiry committee to look into charges that Sharma was actually involved in his wards taking to drug.

Gulati, in the letter written on June 4, said that Sharma's ban from any assignments could be extended after a review by the IWF of the (UPWF's) inquiry committee report.

"... it (the ban) is subject to a further extension after a review of the inquiry by the state association," the letter said.