The BCCI, on Friday finally agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), becoming a National Sports Federation in the process despite being financially autonomous.
The News
Sports Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya and NADA DG Navin Agarwal met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and the Board’s GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim on Friday. Post the meeting they informed that the Board has given in writing that it would stick to the anti-doping policy of NADA. Jhulaniya declared that all cricketers would now be tested by NADA.
BCCI as a designated NSF now will face more pressure to come under the Right To Information (RTI) Act as per government norms. Jhulaniya said that the BCCI’s concerns regarding the quality of dope testing kits, competence of pathologists were answered properly. “The BCCI raised three issues before us about the quality of the dope testing kits, competence of pathologists and sample collection. We assured them that whatever facilities they want, we will provide but there will be some charge for it. But that higher facility will be equal for all NSFs. BCCI is no different from others. They have to follow the law of the land.”
Words by Board
On the other hand, Johri informed that the Sports Secretary assured that issues raised by the board would be addressed by them in due time. The differential cost of high-quality testing will be taken care of by the BCCI. The BCCI initially had vehemently opposed to signing up with NADA, stating that it is an autonomous body, not a National Sports Federation and it does not rely on government funding. But later the Sports Ministry insisted that the BCCI had to come under the NADA ambit.
The clearances for the tours by South Africa A and Women’s teams were held recently and it was believed to be done to put pressure on the board. Now the move seems to have worked as Johri clarified, “We have received the clearance,” Johri said. Regarding the RTI issue, Johri explained that it was not on the agenda of the above-mentioned meeting and it is a different subject.
, Jhulaniya declared that all cricketers would now be tested by NADA. %%page%%){kind=link}