NADA

·         In August 2008 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports bifurcated the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) into two indepdendent bodies –

o        NADA and

o        National Dope Test Laboratory (NDTL).

·         The halving of the doping agency is intended to bring it in conformity with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines and infuse a more professional approach and enhance credibility in anti-doping mechanism in India

·         The Ministry has also reconstituted the General Body and Governing Body of the NADA with the induction of more medical experts in place of Government officials. In addition, an executive board has been added for better supervision.

·         Earlier, the NADA society consisted of nine officials, four representatives from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Sports Federations (NSFs), two sportspersons, one jurist and one scientist.

Mission IAS’2009

·         The number of officials in the new setup has been reduced to six, but additional two medical experts and one representative from the NSFs have been inducted.

·         DG of health Prof. P. Rama Rao will be the new medical expert in the body.

·         The NADA will be responsible for implementing the anti-doping code and providing disciplinary action against drug abuse and appellate forum for disputes. Prominent personalities drafted into the General Body include :

o        Dr Manmohan Singh, chairman of the IOA Medical Commission,

o        former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi,

o        Olympian athlete Shiny Wilson,

o        IOA president Suresh Kalmadi and

o        secretary-general Raja Randhir Singh,

o        Rowing Federation of India president  K.P.Singh Deo,

o        Wrestling Federation of India president G.S.Mander and

o        All India Tennis Association secretary-general Anil Khanna.

·         The NDTL has been established as an independent body, distinct from NADA, to bring it at par with international standards, equipped with the most modern equipment and supported by eminent technical experts.

·         The NDTL had recenlty undergone the final proficiency testing audit and its permanent accreditation is due for consideration in the WADA Executive Board meeting in September, 2008.

·         Prominent sportspersons in the NDTL Governing body include:

o        former Indian hockey captain M.P.Ganesh,

o        Indian Amateur Boxing Federation secretary Col. Muralidharan Raja,

o        Amateur Athletics Federation of India secretary-general Dr. Lalit K.Bhanot and

o        National Rifle Association of India secretary-general Baljit Singh Sethi, who is the deputy chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the Beijing Olympic Games.