The Tribune Impact: Haryana gets tough on doping in sports, event organisers to face ban

The Haryana Government has issued a strict warning to sports bodies of the state, threatening a ban if any incident of doping was detected at events organised by them.

Editorial: India’s dope shame

The action follows a report published in The Tribune highlighting the recovery of a large number of used syringes and empty vials in a washroom at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre at Haryana Agricultural University here.

The syringes and vials had raised suspicion of doping and use of performance-enhancing steroids during a boxing event organised from December 16-18 last year. About 250 players from the state’s 22 districts and the SAI centre had participated in the event, Haryana State Elite Men’s Boxing Championship, which was organised by the Haryana Boxing Federation (HBF).

The Boxing Federation of India has sought an explanation on the issue from the HBF. For its part, the HBF has written to the National Anti-Doping Agency to take samples of the winners at the event. The Haryana Sports Department has, meanwhile, directed various sports bodies to submit a declaration on a Rs 10 stamp paper, pledging adherence to guidelines against the use of drugs.

In a letter dated January 10, the state Sports Directorate asked various sports associations, federations and the Haryana Olympic Association to monitor and prevent the use of prohibited substances during competitions. “If any doping case is detected during an event, the federation concerned will face immediate suspension. The sports body will not be granted any venue for future events,” the letter stated.