On May 18, 2020, The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) provisionally suspended powerlifters Savita Kumari and Ankit Shisodia for violating anti-doping rules. Athletes were given an opportunity to present themselves before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and explain their cases on the date and time fixed by the panel for a hearing.
Key Points:
i.However, due to COVID 19, followed by lockdown in the country no sitting of the panel could take place in April 2020.
ii.Dope Control Officers (DOC), who are front-line medical workers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, will not be sent for sample collection, as they have worked in hospitals and need to quarantine themselves.
iii.NADA is gearing up for vigorous resumption of sample collection and testing after the home ministry allowed sports complexes and stadiums to open but without spectators.
iv.The elaborate guidelines have been prepared by the NADA and is now waiting for the sports ministry’s order to start sample collection.
v.NADA has been conducting anti-doping awareness workshops, educational and awareness seminars about the prohibited drugs or substances and methods in sports across the country for sportspersons, young athletes, coaches and support staff.
vi.In the month of April 2020, due to outbreak of COVID19, NADA has encouraged the Olympic qualified sportspersons (85) and elite athletes (110) coming under NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to gather online anti-doping information available on NADA and WADA (World-Anti Doping Agency) website.
About NADA:
Headquarters– New Delhi.
Director-General– Navin Agarwal.
