The World Anti-Doping Agency today earmarked India as a major partner for the fight against doping in sports. David Howman, WADA Director General, who is in the Capital to preside over the two-day Information/Education Session on Anti-Doping, expressed concerns over the state of affairs in sports in India with respect to doping, with a special mention for the weightlifting federation which has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.“India is a major nation and we would want to become a strong partner in the fight against doping,” said Howman. “We know that you have had problems in weightlifting and we are working with the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) in trying to deal with it,” he added.Citing the example of weightlifter Anita Kumari, who got a reprieve from the Delhi High Court recently on the grounds that her tests were not carried out at a WADA-accreditated laboratory, after she had tested positive at the Hyderabad National Games in 2002, Howman said the sport fraternity should sort out its dispute through arbitration and avoid judicial intervention.“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is the right forum to deal with such cases. It is both better equipped and faster in dealing with such matters,” said Howman, adding that India, as a signatory to Copenhagen declaration and UNESCO convention, stands to get all support from the world body.Howman said a lot of India’s problems would be taken care of once the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) gets accreditation from WADA. “A WADA accreditated laboratory in India would be a great boost to the entire region. NDTL is already in the process of gaining recognition and we hope by October 2008, it should get the WADA nod,” said Howman.He added that a revised Code would be placed for international approval at the WADA convention in Madrid next month. “With the new code, a lot of loopholes will be taken care of, and more fairness can be expected in sports, especially those who believe they are immune to doping—like golf and may be cricket,” said Howman.The director general said the International Cricket Council’s late tie-up with WADA resulted in two “drug cheats” walking away scot-free. He said: “Had the ICC been a little proactive about it, the two Pakistani pacers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who had tested positive for nandrolone, would not have gone free.”However, drawing positives from the episode, Howman said he was happy that the controversy led to the ICC taking corrective measures and signing the WADA code. “It ensures that there will be no bungling in such matters from now on,” Howman said.
