E-Paper
'Kabaddi WC most dope-tainted sporting event'
The National Dope Testing Laboratory, where dope tests of all kabaddi players are being done, has claimed that about 25% of the total samples have turned out positive. Vishav Bharti reports. No prize money for 'tainted' players
The ongoing Kabaddi World Cup has earned the dubious distinction of being the most dope-tainted sporting event, as per the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi.
At the NDTL, where dope tests of all kabaddi players are being done, about 25% of the total samples have turned out positive.
Till date, 41 dope cases have been detected during the event. Teams from the US and Australia have even been banned.
“Such a high percentage of dope-positive players has not been found in any other sporting event,” said Dr Alka Beotra, scientific director, NDTL. She was at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, to attend the 33rd Indian Association of Sports Medicine Congress.
No prize money for 'tainted' players
She said about 200 samples of various kabaddi players had been taken during the event, of which more than 20% were found positive.
Dr Beotra said doping was most common in contact sports, including kabaddi. “However, the main reason for the high doping percentage is that kabaddi is an unregulated sport and there is low level of awareness among players and coaches,” she said.
She added that most of the dope-tainted players had tested positive for anabolic androgenic steroids.
About the overall doping scenario in India, she said NDTL had collected 3,800 samples this year, of which 4.4 % were found positive. Last year, the figure was 3.55%.
