ATHLETICS | With NADA missing, cheats have a free run at varsities Nationals

Discover stunning performances at National inter-university athletics championships & the doping scene in Indian sport. NADA must be present to catch cheats & protect athletes.

Every year, athletes come up with some stunning performances at the National inter-university athletics championships. Some skip the Athletics Federation of India’s National meets but sometimes even produce India-leading timings and marks at university meets and then work out strategies to get into the Indian team for the major championships.

There is no dope-testing at university meets, the National Anti-Doping Agency’s officials do not turn up at varsities Nationals, and that has often helped cheats prosper at these championships.

Seasoned coach George Emmanuel, who went with Kottayam’s Mahatma Gandhi University team, spotted used syringes and vials in bathrooms in Bhubaneswar’s KIIT Stadium, the venue of the National inter-university women’s athletics championships, on Thursday night.

“Found these from the stadium bathrooms,” George told The Hindu from Bhubaneswar as he sent a few photos of the illegal stuff used by cheats late on Thursday night and also posted them in the Whatsapp group set up for the meet’s coaches and officials.

There were quick reactions from many in the group, and there were calls for NADA to be present in varsities meets in future.

“Very sad.. .where are our athletes headed,” asked one.

“Such bad trends can destroy the sport and budding athletes. Therefore, the concerned authorities should ensure the presence of NADA in these meets in the coming years,” said another.