Discusses effective implementation of dope control measures
NEW DELHI: World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka, who is on a whirlwind tour of India, met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya here on Wednesday to discuss “effective implementation” of anti-doping measures in the country in line with global standards.
Banka had met National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials on Monday for “urgent and serious” discussions on protecting the “integrity of sport” in India. He is scheduled to hold a press conference in Delhi on Thursday in which he is expected to address India’s poor doping numbers.
“Had an excellent meeting with Mr. Witold Bańka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency in New Delhi today. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India is committed to fostering a strong culture of clean sport, where the true spirit of competition is safeguarded,” Mandaviya posted on ‘X’.
Banka said the meeting focussed on continued progress in anti-doping efforts.
“Pleased to meet with Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister of Labour and Employment of India. We discussed advancing anti-doping efforts and strengthening the integrity of sport in India, including the importance of sustained progress and effective implementation in line with global standards,” he posted.
Earlier in the day Banka had a meeting with CBI special director Manoj Sashidhar to deliberate on increased cooperation to tackle criminal networks engaged in sale of banned substances.
“An important meeting with Mr. Manoj Sashidhar, Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, in Delhi. As part of the Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network, we emphasized close cooperation with law enforcement to tackle organized doping and the criminal networks behind it,” Banka posted.
On Tuesday, he had met Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao.
“Our exchange underlined the importance of effective governance and policy in strengthening anti-doping efforts and supporting the integrity of sport in India,” he had stated.
Last year, India became the country with the second worst record of doping cases in a 10-year global study of WADA.
The country also topped the list of highest number of dope violations for a third successive year.
India returned a positivity rate of 3.6 per cent, accounting for 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF), the highest among all major countries.
Mandaviya has repeatedly promised an aggressive crackdown on doping, and while speaking in the Parliament recently he stated that agencies like the CBI are being involved for strengthening NADA’s intelligence and investigative infrastructure.
PTI