The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is riding on the Khelo India Youth Games to create mass awareness programmes for the competitors from across the nation on drug use and abuse. It is learnt the agency has collected 19 out-of-competition samples from weightlifting, judo and wrestling. Tests would be conducted during the Games.
The indoor stadium for wrestling saw announcements blaring across the public address system, naming young grapplers asked to be ready for dope testing. The announcer warned that in case of wrestlers not appearing for tests after competition, they will be banned along with respective state coach at the Games. Youngsters in the U-21 and U-17 category attended the anti-doping awareness session here.
NADA Director-General, Navin Agarwal, explained: “We know that this a great platform to spread awareness since the athletes here represent the cream of India’s talent, some will represent the country. Twelve athletes tested positive for prohibited substances at Khelo India School Games last year and hence we are reaching out to every athlete here.”
He advised the athletes to mention in the dope control form any prescribed medicines they may have consumed before giving the sample. Dr. P.S.M. Chandran and Dr. C.S. Jayaprakash, two sports medicine specialists, conducted sessions with young athletes.
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