NADA brings tennis players, National championship under its ambit

Widening its net, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has, for the first time ever, collected samples from close to 20 tennis players competing at the National Tennis Championships at DLTA Complex here.

Players such as top seed Arjun Kadhe, Siddhant Banthia, Ishaque Eqbal and former Under-14 champion Ajay Malik were among those who were randomly picked to give blood and urine samples on Monday.

A few players were asked to provide samples before their matches began while others provided samples after the matches.

"We had created a new system early this year where risk assessment, across the sports, was done. On the scientific basis of that, we worked out the test distribution plan. We identified which are the tournaments where we have to conduct test and this event came in that list, so we sent officials," NADA chief Navin Agarwal told PTI.

Not only at the national championships, the NADA has tested top Indian players in and out of competitions in international circuits this year too.

Asian Games bronze medallist Ankita Raina and top men's singles player Yuki Bhambri confirmed to PTI that they were asked by NADA to provide whereabout details and they were tested.

"I had given them six-week programme before and after the Asian Games. WADA also checks 2-3 times a year," said Ankita.

"I have provided samples to NADA officials both in and out of competition this year. On the ATP circuit, it happens regularly," said Bhambri.

While doping is not as big an issue in Indian tennis as the age fraud but it still is a welcome step.

When contacted, AITA secretary General Hironmy Chatterjee said that NADA has become "very active" this year.

Asked if the Federation would also be more active in educating the coaches, Chatterjee said, "We have with us very experienced Dr Vece Paes, who guides coaches and players at many workshops during the year."
"In Australia, ASADA has developed an APP, in which you can type the name of the medicine to know if it is banned or not. We need something like that in India too."