The National Anti-Doping Agency could soon begin conducting random in-competition testing of cricketers from the next domestic season.
According to reports, the testing would be conducted in India’s domestic competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy among other domestic tournaments.
“We would soon talk to COA and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri in this regard. We are sure of a positive outcome,” NADA Director General Navin Agarwal was quoted as saying by Tribune India. “ICC has been WADA compliant since 2006, and it’s the world governing body for cricket. So, I don’t see any problem in testing Indian cricketers. They (cricketers) are objecting about out-of-competition testing, which NADA won’t do.”
The International Cricket Council is an affiliated member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, but has faced opposition from BCCI, which has yet to come under their purview. Since 2013, drug tests are during India’s domestic competitions are conducted international firm, International Dope Tests and Management
“BCCI has engaged some company for the collection of samples, but NADA is the sole authority in India for dope testing. We hope to start testing from the coming domestic season,” Agarwal added.
The Board had earlier opposed WADA’s whereabouts clause with many cricketers not to keen on disclosing their whereabouts when not playing. Agarwal, though, maintained that BCCI would have to comply with NADA’s rules as ICC was already a signatory with WADA.
NADA, though, can only execute these plans once BCCI agrees to come on board. When contacted, BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary informed NADA had sent no official communication with the board.
“There has been an impasse with NADA for a long time now. We have yet to receive any fresh communication from them in this regard,” Choudhary told Scroll.in. “Once we receive their letter, the subject will be discussed collectively by members of the board. We will take all factors in to consideration.”
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