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National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Imposes Bans

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  • News: Ankit and Jayesh Patil have been banned by the national anti-doping agency (NADA) for 3 years.

    • Reason: They had tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium.

    • Ankit of Service Sports Control Board had finished 3rd at the 69th National Cross Country Championships.

      • Jayesh Patil finished 5th in the event.

    • Meldonium (Mildronate) is an anti-ischemic drug that was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List, effective January 1, 2016.

      • Ischemia:  a condition in which there is an insufficient flow of blood to tissues, which are then starved of oxygen and glucose.

    • In sport, evidence indicates that meldonium may increase endurance, improve rehabilitation following exercise, and enhance activations of the central nervous system.

      •  Meldonium may also provide cognitive advantages.

    • It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. 

    • Vision

      • Creating a dope-free environment and promoting fair play in sports in India

    • NADA India implements the anti-doping programme in India, in line with the World Anti-doping Code 2021.

    • The key areas of functioning include Sample Collection (SC), Results Management (RM), Anti-Doping Education & Awareness, Research and Intelligence & Investigations (I&I). 

  • Doping Problem in India: 

    • Recently, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Banka called India “one of the biggest producers of performance-enhancing drugs” 

    • The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said Indian athletes were also among the biggest consumers of performance-enhancing drugs. 

    • Global Standings: India ranked first globally in dope violations for three consecutive years (2023 to 2025), after consistently maintaining a position in the top three nations globally.

    • Operation Carousel: In 2019, following an anonymous tip-off, WADA launched a years-long investigation, titled Operation Carousel, and uncovered glaring lapses.

  • Core Lapses Identified by WADA:

    • Inadequate tracking and supervision of athlete "whereabouts."

    • Lack of robust testing regimes.

    • Absence of effective internal intelligence or investigative capabilities within the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

    • India is actively bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games. 

      • Historical precedents show that both Spain and Turkey lost their bids for the 2020 Olympics to Japan primarily due to a lack of institutional seriousness in tackling doping.

  • Proposed Reforms: 

    • The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is currently deliberating the introduction of criminal provisions to penalize the administration and trafficking of banned substances.

 

Source: Indian Express