Athletics Federation declares strict 'no-needle policy'

Left red-faced after two of their athletes were sent back home on charges of possession of needles during the recent Commonwealth Games, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to implement a strict 'No-Needle' policy at all the national camps and training centres in the country.

The AFI is one of the first among National Sports Federations (NSFs) to declare a 'No-Needle' policy, has drawn up a protocol, which will be circulated to all the athletes at national camps and training centres across the country.

AFI President Adille Sumariwalla told PTI that the 'No-Needle' policy has come into effect immediately after it was declared yesterday.

"We have declared the 'No-Needle' policy yesterday and it has come into effect immediately. We have drawn up a two-page protocol to be distributed to all our athletes at all the national camps and training centres across the country," Sumirawalla said.

"We are zero tolerant in matters related to use of banned drugs by athletes and we are the first NSF to declare a 'No-Needle' policy in the country. We have intimated about this policy to Sports Authority of India also," he claimed.

Recently, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra has said that he would ask the Sports Ministry to implement 'No-Needle' policy at all the national camps in the country across all sports.

In order to the implement this policy, the AFI has formed a three member committee of coaches, which has been empowered to search the rooms of the athletes. Chief coach Bahadur Singh will head the committee while the other two members will be deputy chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair and chief coach (juniors) Sanjay Garnaik.

"This committee will be authorised to search the rooms of athletes and ensure the compliance of No-Needle' policy of the AFI," a circular issued yesterday said.

"All the coaches are requested to give it wide publicity amongst athletes so that nobody is in possession of needle or any forbidden substance. Strict action will be taken against those who are found violating this policy."
"We will shortly draw up a detailed procedure of how the cases of athletes caught with needles will be dealt by the Disciplinary Committee of the AFI. It is not going to be rocket science, it is a simple matter and athletes will not have any difficulty in understanding this policy."