mid-day Opinion: Doping menace must be tackled at the root

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In reports related to sport, it is informed that the Indian government has proposed stringent penal provisions under amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, including jail terms ranging from five to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 5 lakh for those involved in supplying, administering or trafficking banned substances to athletes.

This is a significant veering from the government's approach till now, which focused primarily on penalising athletes through suspensions and bans rather than criminal prosecution.

The deadline for submitting public comments and suggestions is June 18.

We need to consider this in the light of facts which show India leads the world in the number of anti-doping rule violations across sport, and has the highest positivity rate in testing among major countries.

It is hugely important and urgent that the government cut off not only the tail (sportspersons who dope) of the snake but the head of the snake itself. The head is the enablers.

Our athletes, at times, have little to no agency. Some are too intimidated, others too young to make their own decisions.

They may be persuaded, coerced or even bluffed into taking substances, though there may be some who are doing so out of awareness and choice. Yet, by taking these measures, there is a recognition that we need to go to the root of the rot and stamp out the entire ecosystem.

Let us wipe out the doping stain with rigour and will. We welcome the effort to cleanse with stringent punishment and tackle the malaise in a holistic manner.