Current Affairs 2022: Key Points of National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021

By Shubham Singh

National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha recently. Read here the important provisions of the bill in detail.

Recently, on 17 Dec 2021, the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The main objective of the bill is to prohibit doping in sports and to replace the framework of the existing national anti-doping agency (NADA) with the new one to give more power to the doping agency. The bill was introduced by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur in the recently concluded winter session of Lok Sabha.

What is Doping?

Doping is the consumption of any banned products like prohibited medicines, syringes, steroids to enhance athletic performance to a great extent. It has been in use for centuries. Players often use many banned drugs to extract the best out of their injuries, for stress management and performance enhancement of course.

National Anti-Doping Bill

During the late 90s and early 20s, the consumption of doping was a growing trend among various sports personalities. As doping used to enhance the players’ performances and thus, they were getting used to it. To keep this in check, on November 24, 2005, the government of India came up with the idea of setting up an agency whose primary objective is to control this ongoing usage of doping.

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) was first set up by the government as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 with the mission to make dope free sports in India.

The objectives and vision of the National Doping Agency are to create awareness about doping and its potential ill effects on the body and sports ecosystem. As well as to make a framework for regulated dope control programmes through education and wide research.

What is the need to replace the existing bill?

The main flaw in the existing bill was that NADA had no authority to conduct raids on the suspected leads, resulting in criminals always having an escape window. In Aug 2019, WADA(World Doping Agency) had suspended the accreditation of NDTL (National Dope Testing Laboratory) based on the non-competence of on-site assessment which was observed in September 2018.

The upgraded bill has given the freedom to raid any suspected leads and powers to inspect, investigate, collect samples from anywhere. Moreover, National Dope Testing Laboratory and other dope testing laboratories would be established to meet the demands of WADA.

National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021

The national anti-doping bill 2021 has many key features including the prohibition of doping. Though the majority of the features are the same as the existing one and thus, it is much needed for us to know the important features which are being included with the existing one.

The features are as follows:

Prohibition of Doping

This national doping bill prohibits athletes, sports-related personnel and other potential sportspersons from taking any type of prohibited medicines or steroids same as the previous one. Support personnel like coaches, physiotherapists, dieticians, managers, team mentors, trainers and others who are actively participating in the sports ecosystem are also prohibited to engage in any type of doping activity.

These persons are strictly advised to take extra care while taking any of the prohibited medicines and syringes. The government of India provides a list that athletes and support staff are bound to follow. That anti-doping rules are as follows:

• Any type of prohibited substances should not be present in an athlete’s body,
• Must ensure to not use, even an attempt to use any of the prohibited substances or methods are also punishable.
• Suspected players are bound to submit a sample.
• Must not do trafficking or attempted trafficking in prohibited substances.

It is expected from every athlete that they would not hide any such violation of the rules.

Exemptions

Yes, a few exemptions are present in the national anti-doping bill. If an athlete or support staff requires any type of prohibited medicines or substances for medical purposes or conditions then they have to apply first to the National Anti-Doping Agency for an exemption of medical use.

Consequences of any violations

There are serious consequences that might have to face any player who violates any of the rules mentioned above. Management of the consequences, when and where it would be implemented is determined by the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.

These consequences are:

• Instant disqualification of results including denial of medals, and awards.
• Disqualification to participate in a competition.

Financial sanctions

Players must ensure that they follow all the rules strictly else they have to face these kinds of consequences.

National Anti Doping Agency

Earlier in 2005, the agency was established as a society but the bill has now been provided to make this agency a body. The agency is now headed by the director-general appointed directly by the prime minister.

Rights to reveal data related to athletes and doping

The agency will have all rights to collect all the personal data from an athlete like sex or gender, medical history, and competition testing and collection of samples. They can also reveal certain data like names and rules violated.

Establishment of National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports

Bill has provision to establish a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports to lead the way on anti-doping regulation and compliance with international commitments on anti-doping. The board is responsible for issuing orders to the agency and managing the activities.

Dope Testing Laboratories

Bill proposes an idea to deem the existing National Dope Testing Laboratory into a principal dope testing laboratory. More dope testing laboratories are to be established all over the country.

Consisting of Disciplinary and Appeal Panel

The panel is responsible for determining the consequences of Anti-Doping Rule Violations. The Panel consists of a Chairperson and four Vice-Chairpersons, and ten members who are medical practitioners and retired athletes.

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