India Gets Boost to Fight Doping in Sports with Approval from World Anti-Doping Agency
New Delhi: The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has granted approval to India's National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), setting up an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) and enabling it to manage the biological profiles of athletes, in a major development towards curbing doping in Indian sports.
The move, which marks an important achievement for India in advancing its anti-doping initiatives, comes after Wada accredited NDTL as an APMU, bringing the country closer to global standards. This approval will enable NDTL to effectively manage the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), a cutting-edge tool that monitors athletes' biological markers over time.
The ABP provides valuable insights into athletes' physiological state, helping to detect potential doping violations and direct anti-doping efforts more precisely. Wada approved the management of ABP in 2009, with currently only 30 laboratories worldwide accredited for dope testing.
Unfortunately, India has been grappling with a reputation for a high doping incidence rate. According to data released by Wada last year, Indian athletes tested positive 127 times out of 2022's testing, ranking first among countries with the highest percentage of dope offenders. The country fared poorly globally in failing Era tests conducted per lab, signifying the need for sustained efforts against doping.
India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and NDTL itself faced a temporary suspension from Wada due to laboratory non-compliance before being cleared after full compliance with ISL and technical documents. With this latest nod, India has joined an elite group of nations worldwide in taking the fight against doping seriously.
As an APMU, NDTL stands poised to bolster clean athlete ranks by keeping tabs on athletes' biological profiles, ensuring fair play in sports while also curbing use of banned substances. Looking forward to leveraging ABP insights for enhanced anti-doping operations will be instrumental in revamping India's reputation as a formidable force against doping.