Explainer: Performance-enhancing drugs need to be reined in to ensure better results in sports
Incidents of doping and use of performance-enhancing substances in sports has come as a blot on the sporting events in the state. With increasing competition in sports, the players taking such drugs needs to be reined in to ensure better results at the international level.
How serious is the menace of doping in sports in the state?
Doping has become a problem in Indian sports and has been reported in the state also. Being a sports powerhouse of the country, Haryana counts for major share of sportspersons at the international level in many disciplines, especially contact sports such as wrestling, boxing besides athletics. The recovery of used syringes and empty vials of the drugs from the washroom at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar during the two state-level events — Haryana State Elite Men’s Boxing Championship, organised by the Haryana Boxing Federation in Hisar in December 2024 and the Haryana State Senior Athletics Championship exposes the growing menace in Haryana as well.
Why players resort to doping and how is it taken?
The players inject the performance enhancing drugs and muscle relaxants etc during the events. It has been noticed that they do so without any prescription and take the injections on their own or with the help of fellow players just before their event. The players can take medicines only under the strict observation of the medical practitioners.
Which authority is responsible for monitoring doping in sports?
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is the only authority responsible for monitoring and controlling doping in sports in India. It operates under the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is responsible for conducting drug tests, implementing anti-doping regulations, and educating athletes about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) oversees anti-doping measures and ensures compliance with international standards. However, NADA does not have adequate staff strength and resources to monitor sports events taking place in different disciplines and different states.
What are the penalties and consequences of doping in sports?
Under the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, doping in sports is a serious offence in India, which invites strict penalties. Sportspersons caught using banned substances face suspensions ranging from four years to a lifetime ban, depending on the seriousness of the violation. If found guilty, they also risk disqualification, including loosing medals, rankings and records. The Act grants the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) authority to conduct tests, impose sanctions and enforce compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. It also criminalises trafficking and supply of banned substances, ensuring that coaches and support staff involved in doping face legal action. Additionally, those found indulging in doping may also lose sponsorships and government benefits, impacting their career and financial stability. Dharambir Singh, 200-metre sprinter from Haryana missed the Rio Olympics in 2016 when he failed the drug test.
How do sportspersons obtain substances for doping?
Sportspersons obtain banned drugs through various illegal and unethical ways such as black markets, online suppliers, or unregulated pharmaceutical stores, often using fake prescriptions. Inside sources said that even coaches play a key role by advising or supplying athletes with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Some athletes might acquire these substances from drug traffickers and unscrupulous supplement manufacturers. It is alleged that sometimes, supporting staff manipulate medical exemptions to justify the use of restricted substances. Some vials found in Hisar were found to be manufactured in Russian countries indicating that it could have been smuggled from foreign countries.
