The BCCI after years of opposition has
finally agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping
Agency (NADA). The BCCI stated in writing that it would adhere to NADA’s
anti-doping policy.
The information was shared by Sports
Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya on August 9 after his meeting with BCCI
CEO Rahul Johri. Jhulaniya stated that from henceforth, all cricketers
will be tested by NADA. Till now, the BCCI had opposed NADA’s doping
tests and the cricketers were kept out of it.
The BCCI had raised three issues before the Sports Ministry regarding its integration with NADA. The issues are as follows:
1. Quality of the dope testing kits
2. Competence of pathologists
3. Sample collection
The
Sports Ministry assured the BCCI that the Ministry would be providing
whatever facilities the BCCI requires but there will be some charge for
it. Sports Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya said that the BCCI is no
different from others.
Background
The
BCCI was earlier strictly against signing up with NADA. The BCCI claimed
that it is an autonomous body and not a National Sports Federation and
does not rely on government funding.
The Sports Ministry was, however, adamant that the BCCI was no different and that it had to come under the NADA ambit.
The
Ministry, had in fact, recently hed up the clearances for the tours by
South Africa A and the women’s teams and it was largely speculated that
it was done to pressurise the cricketing body into accepting NADA’s
anti-doping policy.