World No 1 for dope cheats
The annual report of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) contained shocking information about doping in Indian sports. The figures show that doping has increased among athletes from junior and senior athletes. The heads of sports organisations and coaches say that the number of arrests is increasing due to intensified testing, but it is not easy to wash one's hands of such an embarrassment. The World Athletics Federation had earlier pointed out that doping use is high among Indian athletes. With this, the Athletics Integrity Unit of World Athletics moved India from Category B to Category A in the list of the most risky countries.
Athletics Integrity Unit Chairman David Howman said India has even put behind countries like Kenya in doping. With the move to Category A, doping testing of Indian athletes in international competitions will be made stricter. Indian athletes have already been unofficially excluded from invitational meets in many foreign countries. In 2022, 48 Indian athletes were caught in doping cases. The country was in second place globally at that time. In 2023, 63 athletes were caught. But in 2024, India shamefully grabbed the top place with 71 cases. Although there were 30 cases in 2025, India remained in the top spot. This was the result of India not taking proper action when other countries adopted antidotes in terms of doping.
Last year, the Parliament passed the National Sports Act for the first time in history, along with the Anti-Doping Act. The World Anti-Doping Agency's report suggests that it is high time to vigorously implement the law that envisages strict action against those indulging in doping. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) conducts doping tests among Indian athletes and imposes temporary and permanent bans on them. NADA is not an agency with the manpower to conduct tests in all competitions held in a country as big as India. It has become normal to see doping syringes piled up in some corners after many national junior meets and inter-university meets. Many people see doping as a shortcut to getting sports quota appointments. This is also the reason why these athletes disappear after the junior level.
The shame caused by doping will not change with the ban of a few athletes. This bad reputation will hinder India's efforts to host sporting events, including the Olympics. India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Efforts to host the 2036 Olympics are moving towards success. Efforts have also begun to host the 2038 Asian Games. But if doping continues to enrapture sports talents, the dream will likely backfire. Every athlete must commit to staying away from doping. Those in authority, including coaches, must also be prepared to take measures to end this evil culture that will invariably ruin the reputation of the country.