NADA set to break language barrier soon

In the event of several athletes testing positive for banned substances weeks before the Commonwealth Games, the National Anti-Doping Agency is leaving no stone unturned to educate the athletes.

In the event of several athletes testing positive for banned substances weeks before the Commonwealth Games, the National Anti-Doping Agency is leaving no stone unturned to educate the athletes.

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The NADA has now decided to publish anti-doping books and pamphlets in languages other than Hindi and English. The idea is to spread awareness and that language should not be a hurdle for the athletes.

Earlier, the booklets containing the list of prohibited substances and other anti-doping books and pamphlets were published only in Hindi and English. Now, the literature will be out in languages like Punjabi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam. The idea is to gradually diversify and publish in all the Indian languages.

"We have started printing in different Indian languages so that it will be easier for our athletes to follow," explained Rahul Bhatnagar, director general, NADA. "Our idea is to educate our athletes and spread awareness to the grass-root level."

A lot of athletes who have tested for the banned substance, methylhexanaemine, have cited unawareness as one of the reasons for getting caught.

However, the NADA has been conducting regular awareness camps and seminars to educate athletes at various centres where core group athletes are preparing for the CWG.

More samples collected In its drive to cleanse the sport, the NADA has been conducting surprise visits to different Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres, where core group athletes are preparing, to collect random samples.

In the last two days, NADA marshals and chaperons have managed to collect 46 samples from athletes, boxers and lawn bowls players.