Teen sportspersons from state caught in anti-doping agency’s net

A 14-year-old wrestler and a 16-year-old boxer, both from Maharashtra are among several school students from across the country caught in the anti-doping net of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). They face a possible disciplinary action, which may extend to a ban.

A 14-year-old wrestler and a 16-year-old boxer, both from Maharashtra are among several school students from across the country caught in the anti-doping net of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). They face a possible disciplinary action, which may extend to a ban.

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Names of the wrestler from Pune and the boxer from Akola have been withheld pending further enquiry.

The results emerged after NADA conducted tests at the National School Games in January. NADA had collected 81 samples of athletes in the events of wrestling (30), boxing (31) and weightlifting (20), of which 11 tested positive for banned substances.

NADA will now intensify its campaign to stamp out doping at the school level. It will be conducting tests at national events, CBSE and ICSE-organised school games and also at state-level competitions from next year.

Officials admit that the doping problem is rampant at junior levels.

“If you go to any competition in the state, you will find syringes and tablet packets strewn in changing rooms,” said a sports department official.