LAHORE, Nov 17: The national cycling championship commenced on an ugly note as defending champions, Wapda, staged a walkout after their two cyclists Zulifqar Ahmad and Dilsher were not allowed to compete.

The Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) has decided not to allow them claiming both tested positive in a dope test conducted during the inaugural Indo-Pak Punjab Games held in India last year.

Wapda, however, did not accept the results on the plea that there is no standardised laboratory in India for doping test therefore, the reports are not authenticated.

Wapda’s walkout increased Army chances to win the championship after a long time.

On the opening day, Amjad Ali earned a gold medal winning the 1000m time trials, clocking one minute 15 seconds.

Noor Alam earned the second spot while Ghulam Abbas finished third.