Haryana Olympic Association makes dope test mandatory for medal winners

In a bid to curb the menace of doping in sports, the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA) has decided to make dope tests mandatory for all medal winners at sporting events across the state. Victory certificates will now be issued only after athletes successfully clear the dope test.

HOA president Jasvinder Meenu Beniwal said the move was aimed at keeping athletes away from substance abuse and ensuring that Haryana continues to produce clean and competitive sportspersons at the national and international levels.

“The objective is to keep athletes away from substance abuse and help them win medals for the country in large numbers,” Beniwal said.

The decision comes in the wake of several incidents in which syringes were reportedly found in washrooms at sporting events in Hisar recently, prompting the Sports Department and the HOA to take corrective measures.

Beniwal said the HOA would also write to the Indian Olympic Association to ensure Haryana’s smooth participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. “Athletes’ rights will not be allowed to suffer. The association is preparing a special plan in this regard,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the HOA president inaugurated a modern sports stadium built by Anil Sangwan Kaluwala Construction in memory of Sangwan’s father at Dohka Hariya village in Charkhi Dadri district. Spread over nearly 10 acres, the stadium is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore.

Terming the initiative commendable, Beniwal said the HOA would promote and honour individuals who contribute to the development of sports. He also announced the construction of a rowing (boating) stadium in Kaluwala village.

Charkhi Dadri Deputy Commissioner Dr Munish Nagpal, Sangwan Khap head and former MLA Sombir Sangwan, several international athletes, awardees and senior IAS and IPS officers attended the event and were felicitated. Men’s and women’s kabaddi competitions were also organised on the occasion.

Beniwal said Haryana remained a hub of sports and expressed confidence that athletes would win 36 gold medals by 2036, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “For this purpose, while athletes are being sensitised to stay away from substance abuse, the Olympic Association has also banned gun culture,” he said.

He added that international-level sports facilities would be developed in Charkhi Dadri district and national-level competitions would be organised there. Sports would also be linked with every university to give a new dimension to athletic development.

Referring to recent deaths of two athletes, Beniwal said the HOA had issued an advisory mandating inspection of sports equipment before competitions. “If deficiencies are found, notices will be issued and action will follow,” he said.

He also cautioned athletes against fake and unrecognised sports bodies operating under different names and said the Haryana government would modernise 100 rural stadiums within a year.