NADA optimistic despite Indias dubious distinction

.After India, which will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is keen to stage the 2036 Olympics, earned the dubious distinction of reporting the highest number dope positive cases for the third consecutive year, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) gave a positive picture saying the increase in the number of positive cases was the result of a hike in number of samples.

As per the 2024 testing figures recently released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), NADA tested 7113 urine and blood samples and reported 260 adverse analytical findings (AAFs), at 3.6%. The AAFs and total number of samples were 213 and 5606 (3.8%) in 2023 and 125 and 3865 (3.2%) in 2023.

NADA said it increased the number of tests to tackle the menace of doping and “the figures are a direct outcome of India’s intensified anti-doping report.” Despite the increase in testing, “the percentage of positive findings has shown a steady decline.” It said this year 110 AAFs had been reported out of 7,068 samples, at 1.5%, up to December 16.

Since Indian athletes also got tested by other agencies, the exact number of anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) from the country would be known after getting all the stats.

Following India, France (91), Italy (85), Russia and USA (76 each) and Germany (54) stand in the list of AAFs in 2024.

The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) tested 7651 samples, including some from other countries, and reported 268 positive results at 3.65%, which is the highest among all WADA accredited labs.

The NADA has underlined its efforts on several other aspects to curb doping in the country, which has been under pressure from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the issue.