NADA to set up Athlete Passport Management Unit

In a big move in its fight against doping, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on Thursday announced that India will have its first Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU), which will analyse test reports on a longitudinal basis.

So far, there are only 11 APMUs recognized by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) all over the world while in India it does not exist.

"The details of the implementation will be discussed with the experts, and Athlete Passport Management Unit shall be created which will analyse test reports on a longitudinal basis and submit specific recommendations to NADA," the NADA said.

The purpose of this symposium was to plan implementation of the athlete biological passport (ABP) hematological module for continuous evaluation and monitoring of the athlete biological data. The data generated through the blood testing will help in detecting any possible use of prohibited substances or prohibited methods.

Meanwhile, NADA conducted a one-day Symposium on Athlete Biological Passport Management with experts from various medical institutions mainly from AIIMS, Safdarjung and RML Hospital.

NADA Director General Navin Agarwal welcomed the dignitaries and officials who participated in the symposium.

He further mentioned the importance of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) and need for implementation.

"Clean athletes would be facilitated if biological passports are created, wherever they go for international events," the NADA said.

Secretary (Sports) Shri Injeti Srinivas mentioned the need for measures in place for the testing and also providing a better environment for athletes about informed regulations.

The NDTL laboratory experts were also present during the discussion. It has been decided by DG, NADA to constitute a group of experts in the related subjects for Athlete Biological Passport Management.