Lok Sabha Question No. 750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-25
Subject: Safety of Young Athletes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 750 TO BE ANSWERD ON 25.07.2023

## Safety of Young Athletes

## 750.  SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL: SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

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

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  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,  the  National  Anti-Doping  Agency  (NADA),  an  autonomous awareness programmes in association with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as well as the National Sports Federations (NSFs), for all stakeholders, organization, conducts Anti-Doping education including the 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 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  to  this  ministry  and  its  plans  for  the coming  year  includes  the  component  of  various  educational and awareness programs.
- (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 the 'Speak Up!' portal, where is intended for athletes and others to report any alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations  (ADRVs);  non-compliance  under  the  NADA  AntiDoping Rules; or, 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, need based awareness-cumwith the NSFs. NADA  has introduced mass
- education material has been prepared by NADA in association awareness programmes for athletes to create awareness among athletes across  the  country  about  the  Anti-Doping  Rules  and  the  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) The  Anti-Doping  education  programmes  are  conducted  at various places across the country during the 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). The Doping Control hand books and information are disseminated  amongst  the  sportspersons  in  the  form  of pamphlets in different 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 have been issued by SAI to ensure safe and positive environment in Sport by making all  stakeholders  aware  that  there  is  an  expectation,  at  all times, of appropriate behaviour consistent with the core values of sportsmanship and appropriate moral conduct. The following measures have also been advised for compliance:-
-  Woman coach to be a mandatory part of any contingent with female  athletes  during  domestic/international  camps  and competition exposures.
-  Compliance Officer to 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 to be designed and presented to all athletes, coaches and support staff together before commencement of any National Coaching Camp and Foreign Exposure.
-  Increasing the strength of women Coaches/Support Staff in National Coaching Camps by respective NSFs.

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