In an effort to curb the menace of doping in sports, All India Council of Sports (AICS) Chairman Vijay Kumar Malhotra on Tuesday suggested that food supplements being supplied to sportspersons should be duly certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSI).
Expressing his anguish at a recent report which said India is third in the world in Doping Violation (117), only next to Russia (176) and Italy (129), Malhotra felt that the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) needs to be more pro-active.
He called for a two-pronged approach to educate sportspersons about ill effects of drugs and at the same time take punitive action against those indulging in it.
The fifth meeting of the AICS was attended by eminent sportspersons like Bhaichung Bhutia, Kunjarani Devi, Limba Ram and member of Parliament Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who also strongly advocated compulsory dope tests at school games, state competitions and state championships besides stringent penal action.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Injeti Srinivas, who attended the meeting, said provisions under various Acts are being explored to make doping a punishable crime since the FSSI has already taken note of nutraceuticals and other health food under its ambit.
He assured the people that the Sports Ministry is taking every step to ensure that Indian sports is free from doping.
--IANS
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