Lok Sabha Question No. 304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Monitoring of Doping and Age Fudging
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 304 TO BE ANSWERD ON 05.12.2023

Monitoring of Doping and Age Fudging

## 304.  SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

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

- (a) the details of measures taken by the Government to monitor and prevent the incidence of doping among athletes participating in age group level sports tournaments in the country;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of any recent cases of age fudging in age group level sports tournaments and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of steps being implemented by the Government to enhance  the  integrity  and  fairness of age  group  level sports competitions specifically in relation to preventing age misrepresentation;
- (d) the details of educational programmes or initiatives which are in place to inform young athletes, coaches and sports administrators about the legal and health consequences of doping and age fudging; and
- (e) the extent to which the Ministry is collaborating with national sports federations and other relevant bodies to address these issues effectively?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

- (a):   The Government is committed to eradicate doping/drug abuse by  sportspersons.  The  National  Anti-Doping  Agency  (NADA),  an autonomous body under this Ministry, conducts Anti-Doping

education awareness programmes in association with Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations (NSFs), for all stakeholders, including athletes participating in age-group level sports tournaments in the country.

The details of the various measures taken by the Government are as:

-  Under  the  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS),  athlete workshops are organized by SAI towards creating awareness among athletes with regard to prevention of Drug abuse.
-  Awareness-cum-education material has been prepared by NADA in  association  with  the  NSFs.  Mass  awareness  programmes have been introduced for athletes across the country regarding the Anti-Doping Rules.
-  Doping Control handbooks are disseminated among the sportspersons in different regional languages during the various awareness programmes.
-  Anti-doping  programme  is  implemented  during  various  Khelo India games  where  athletes are  engaged in workshops, interactive kiosks, games, quizzes and digital content.
-  Mobile  application  namely  'Know  Your  Medicine'  has  been launched to reveal the presence of banned/prohibited substances in medicines to avoid inadvertent usage of banned substances.
-  SAI Call Centre facility is operational where which trainees can contact and lodge their grievances.  Further, the trainees are also  contacted  on  random  basis  to  get  their  feedback  and grievance.
- (b) & (c): Various  National  and  State  Sports  Federations  typically have  rules/regulations  in  place  to  ensure  fair  play  and  maintain integrity  in  the  sports  tournaments.  These  federations  themselves look  after  the  matter  of  age  fudging  in  age-group  level  sports tournaments.
- (d): An event-based anti-doping education model has been implemented  at  various  events  including  Khelo  India  University Games, Khelo India Youth Games, National Games and North East

Olympic Games. Interactive tools like anti-doping pledge, awareness mobile  game,  digital  quiz,  awareness  kiosks,  mobile  van  and workshops is a part of the overall activities. The model has enabled anti-doping awareness at major national sports events. A total of 95 such Anti-Doping awareness and education sessions/workshops were organised by NADA in 2023. (e): Workshops  are  hosted  by  NADA  and  NSFs  to  sensitize  them against doping in sport and disseminate the message of clean sport among athletes and athlete support personnel. More than 40 NSFs along with stakeholders from SAI, Indian Olympic Association and Paralympic  Committee  of  India  participate  in  these  workshops. Regular Training Programmes on Anti-Doping Awareness for Coaches and Athletes are also organized by SAI.

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