NADA will test cricketers whenever and wherever they want: Sports secretary

The National Anti-Doping Agency will carry out tests on cricketers "whenever and wherever they want", Sports Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya said on Friday, asserting that the BCCI had no option but to abide by the law of the land.

Ending years of defiance, the Indian cricket's governing body has finally agreed to come under the ambit of NADA, in the process becoming a National Sports Federation despite being financially autonomous.

Till date, Sweden-based International Dope Testing Management (IDTM) has been collecting the cricketers' samples and submitting them to the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL).

"IDTM was an outside agency hired by BCCI to take samples. Now that agency will be NADA. I explained to BCCI you don't have a discretion to abide by law or not. The law applies to everyone equally," Jhulaniya said after the landmark development following a meeting with the BCCI officials.

"Every federation is on the same footing for enforcement of law. You don't have to sign an agreement. We categorically told them no MOU is required as law is applicable to everyone."
"All athletes irrespective of their country of origin or country of citizenship come under the jurisdiction of the national anti doping agency, that's the WADA's charter and we are a partner."
"BCCI have conveyed to us they will abide by Indian law, rules and regulations and respect the Government of India's jurisdiction. Their first concern was the quality of the dope testing kits. We assured them the kits we are using are of international quality -- WADA-approved kits."
"This facility will not be just for BCCI but all federations."
"If the athlete or his/her advocate is not asking for time, we are deciding the case in less than 90 days, which is the mandated time."