Dronacharya awardee coach seeks probe, says doping stigma on sports

Renowned boxing coach Jagdish Singh, a Dronacharya awardee who mentored Olympic medallist Vijender Kumar, and Olympians Akhil Kumar, Jitender, and Dinesh Kumar and Vikash Krishan, have condemned the alleged doping incident during a recent state-level boxing event in Hisar.

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The incident, which reportedly involved the recovery of syringes and vials used by players, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the sport, he said. “Doping is a big stigma on sports. I came to know about suspected doping by some players in the event held in Hisar. NADA must immediately swing into action and take samples of the players,” he said.

He also questioned NADA's functioning, citing an instance when a 13-year-old girl, who was under medication for some ailment, was allegedly wrongly indicted for doping and was banned for two years.

He said NADA should be strict with wrongdoers but sensitive towards players.

Women players at the Bhiwani Boxing Club said athletes should stay away from drugs and steroids, emphasising that their long-term health and careers depended on discipline and fair play. “This is one of the worst things that can happen in sports. Players must understand that doping undermines their potential and the spirit of the game,” she said.

Kamal Singh, president of the club, which has gained prominence for producing several Olympians and international medallists over the past decade, expressed disappointment over the incident. Known as the cradle of Indian boxing, the club called for strict measures to address the issue and restore credibility.

“This is a matter of serious concern. The recovery of syringes and vials from the event site indicates a blatant violation of law and ethics. Such practices tarnish the sport’s image and discourage genuine athletes who rely solely on hard work and talent,” he said.

Responding to the Tribune reports on the matter, Kamal Singh stressed the importance of creating awareness among players about the risks of illegal substances.