GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3233
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2018
Athletics Federation of India
- DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Athletics Federation of India had informed the
National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) about holding the 57th
National Open Athletics Championship in Chennai;
(b) if so, whether any dope tests were conducted by NADA for
the said event;
(c) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH
AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
{COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}
(a) Yes, Madam. National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) had
received the information from Athletics Federation of India
(AFI) about the holding of 57th National Open Athletics
Championship in Chennai from 25th
-28th September, 2017.
(b) to (d): NADA had conducted dope tests at various major
International & National athletics events during the preceding
year 2017. However, NADA had not conducted dope tests in
the National Open Athletics Championship since NADA had
already conducted dope tests in other priority events i.e.
Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championship,
Patiala in June 2017, Asian Athletics Championship,
Bhubaneswar in July 2017 and 57th National Inter State Senior
Athletics Championship, Guntur in August 2017.
Also the athletes in the Registered Testing Pool are also
tested out-of-competition and their dope tests during all events
are not necessary. Therefore, most of the top athletes who
participated during National Open Athletics Championship
stood tested during 2017.
***
Relevance
Anju Bobby George, the government-appointed national observer for athletics, had written to the Sports Minister about dope tests not being conducted at the 57th National Open Athletics Championships held in Chennai. She claimed that doping control officers were not present during the four-day meet. When questioned, the Minister admitted that the NADA was aware that the event was happening, yet they did not conduct dope tests because it was not a priority event.
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