Crackdown on doping: Penal provisions can act as a deterrent

THE push to criminalise trafficking and use of banned performance-enhancing substances marks an overdue shift in India’s battle against doping. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has highlighted a harsh truth: doping is no longer an individual lapse but an organised enterprise that exploits ambition, ignorance and weak enforcement. India’s anti-doping framework has leaned heavily on testing and imposition of bans on athletes. While these measures have led to a decline in adverse findings, the country continues to top the global dope offenders’ list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This dubious distinction has exposed the limitations of the current strategy. It’s apparent that punishing athletes alone is of little help.

The proposal to penalise suppliers, facilitators and complicit support staff aligns with the global perception that the real culprits are often coaches, trainers and shadowy networks that profit from doping. Targeting these wrongdoers could disrupt supply chains and raise the risks associated with the use of unfair means. Yet, criminalisation is not a silver bullet. Similar provisions in the 2018 draft anti-doping Bill were ultimately dropped amid concerns about overreach and enforceability. There are legal grey areas as not all substances banned in sports are illegal for general use. Careless drafting of provisions could lead to harassment or other unintended consequences, particularly for lower-level support staff.

The need to protect athletes, many of whom are victims rather than perpetrators, cannot be overemphasised. Coercion and misinformation often push them toward doping. Any legal framework must clearly distinguish between the exploiter and the exploited. The government’s broader strategy — combining legislation with education, intelligence-gathering and international cooperation — is promising. India, which will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has set its sights on the 2036 Olympics, must go all out to improve its image on the dope front. A crackdown on doping networks can act as a strong deterrent, but much will depend on making the proposed legislation robust and loophole-free.