The Dope and Athletics Relationship of India

“Doping Shame” the words have always screamed in the Athletics’ Debate in the nation. There has been a spate of doping scandals in the Indian Athletics. In India, Doping started in Sports prior to the 1982 Asiad Games. India was hosting the games and it became the great prestige issue to win medals. The Asiad’s of 1982 saw the great influence of Drugs over the Indian Athletes. The Bulgarian weightlifting coaches openly supplied the Indian Lifters with the dangerous drugs. The athletes started taking the drugs in a big way in the training camps. It was also said at that time that the athletes were breaking records on a big ration of drugs. Since 1982, the Indian Athletics has seen a great involvement with the Drug intakes. The doping scandal of 2010 Commonwealth Games was a great add on the doping timeline in the nation. Between 2009 and 2012 around 48 Indian athletes that compete in athletics had been caught for the doping. Many reports state that various Sports Institutes have been found with the syringes and packet of banned drugs. The doping relations of the athletes have always been argued as one side of the case studies say that the drugs and the supplements are provided to the athletes by the side of the sports authority only. Taking a view to the doped Athletics circumstances:

The reason behind the Athletes involvement in Doping: It has been seen that mainly the athletes come from the rural background of the nation. Due to the lack of the education their awareness regarding the games pros and cons is next to nothing. This lack of awareness makes the higher chances of involvement of Athletes in Doping. Another reason is the consistent pressure on Athletes from their personal lives. Being an athlete is yet a troublesome job in the country like India. As in India cricket is only a game that is promoted and except cricket no other game makes the nation a super power. This negligence of other sports and less opportunities makes the athletes more involved in the Dope sessions. India is a nation where the development of every sport is still a big dream. The lacking opportunities, the vulnerable circumstances and the big tempting avidities of government jobs and better quality of life are the few reasons of Dope relationships with the athletes.

What can be done?  India needs great expertise to execute the anti doping policy. The establishment of NADA (National Anti Doping Agency) in 2005 has been the major step to eradicate the doping from the sports of the nation. Further, to curb the doping there should be mandatory testing at all the levels of the sport. The officials and coaches should promote the thought of anti doping and should take the vision to every professional sport. The educational programs at various levels can aid the problem of doping. It is also squabbled that the NADA organization should be privatized in order to neglect the political interventions. 

At present, Dope and Athletics are deeply involved and the complete eradication of doping from the sport is still a dream big goal. But the awareness among the sports person and a vision of healthy society can wipe out the doping evil and nation can turn into a Sports Super Power.