Lok Sabha Question No. 1902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-01
Subject: Counselling of Young Athletes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sandhya Ray

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1902 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2023

Counselling of Young Athletes

1902. SHRIMATI SANDHYA RAY:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government subscribes to the view that the sports governing  bodies  need  to  counsel  the  young  athletes  about  their safety and ensure effective channels for the reporting and redressal of various types of abuses including drug abuse;
- (b) if so, the details of the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a):  Yes, Sir. The Government of India emphasizes ethical conduct as a key factor in the fair administration of the sporting disciplines and facilitates a safe environment free of harassment and discrimination for  all  stakeholders  participating  in  sports,  including  the  athletes, athlete support personnel, coaches, referees, officials, sports science and medical personnel, volunteers, managers, administrators, committee members, parents or guardians, as well as the  office-bearers  of  the  respective  National  Sports  Federations (NSFs). It is also imperative for the sport that individuals observe the highest level of ethical conduct.

Further, the Government is committed to eradicate doping/drug abuse by sportspersons.  To this end, set up under Government of

India, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), an autonomous organization, conducts Anti-Doping awareness programmes in association with Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations (NSFs), for all stakeholders, including young athletes.

- (b)  &  (c):    The  details  of  the  various  initiatives  taken  by  the Government in this regard are as under:
- (i) The recognized NSFs are eligible for financial and other forms of support  from  the  Government  of  India  for  development  of  the concerned sports disciplines.  The Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions (ACTC) mechanism whereby each NSF provides  details  of  work  done  and  plans  for  the  coming  year, which includes various educational and awareness programmes.
- (ii) NADA has launched an Anti-Doping helpline for the athletes and athlete  support  personnel  to  provide  information  about  AntiDoping rules and guidelines. The Helpline number is 1800-119919.  To  report  any  drug  abuse  or  Doping  activities  in  sports, NADA also provides 'Speak Up! portal, which enables athletes and  others  to  report  any  alleged  Anti-Doping  Rule  Violations (ADRVs);  non-compliance  under  the  NADA  Anti-Doping  Rules; and any act or omission that could undermine the Fight Against Doping  in  Sport.  NADA  also  ensures  maintenance  of  strict confidentiality of the informer and the information shared.
- (iii) To  help  the  competing  athletes,  awareness-cum-education material  has  been  prepared  by  NADA  in  association  with  the NSFs. NADA has also introduced mass awareness programmes for  athletes  to  spread  awareness  among  athletes  across  the country about the Anti-Doping Rules and ill effects of Doping. These programmes also spread awareness about ill effects of Doping  on  health  and  its  consequences  on  athletes,  thus facilitating implementation of Doping control by NSFs.
- (iv) Anti-Doping  education  programmes  are  conducted  at  various places across the country during sporting events/training sessions at SAI Centres/SAI Training Centres, Physical Education Colleges/Universities, State Sports Associations and Services Sports Control Boards, etc.
- (v) NADA regularly releases information about Prohibited Substances as issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Doping Control hand books and other information are disseminated amongst the sportspersons in the form of pamphlets in various regional languages during such awareness programmes. The awareness sessions cover key topics such as principles of strict liability, risks involved in the use of supplements,  ethical  values  in  sport,  Dope  Control  process, health hazards and consequences of Doping, Therapeutic Use Exemptions and Prohibited Substances, etc. A total of 169 such Anti-Doping awareness and education sessions/ workshops were organised by NADA in 2022-2023.
- (vi) On 15 th  June, 2022 detailed instructions were issued by SAI to ensure  safe  and  positive  environment  in  Sport  by  making  all stakeholders  aware  regarding  the  requirement  of  appropriate behaviour consistent with the core values of sportsmanship and appropriate moral conduct. The following measures have also been advised for compliance:
-  Woman  coaches  need  to  be  a  mandatory  part  of  any contingent with female athletes during domestic/international camps and competition exposures.
-  Compliance  Officer  should  be  appointed  in  all  National Coaching Camps and Foreign Exposures for communicating regularly with athletes and  others  to ensure  that  the guidelines are being followed as well as enforced as per the Standard  Operating  Procedure  on  prevention  of  sexual harassment in sports and also ensuring reporting of violation to the responsible authorities.
-  Pre-camp  sensitization  modules  are  to  be  designed  and presented to all athletes, coaches and support staff together before commencement of any National Coaching Camp and Foreign Exposure.
-  The  strength  of  women  Coaches/Support  Staff  in  National Coaching Camps should be increased by respective NSFs.

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