NADA will commence partnership with BCCI during Duleep Trophy matches, says Abhijit Salvi
BCCIâs head of anti-doping unit Dr Abhijit Salvi confirmed that the NADA will start testing players during the next Duleep Trophy game in Bengaluru. The anti-doping agency is understood to have agreed to BCCIâs demands for qualified medical practitioners as Lead Dope Control Officers.
Recently, Dr Salvi, Saba Karim, BCCIâs GM of Cricket Operations, and Director General Naveen Agarwal, met with NADA officials to discuss the roadmap ahead. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is not expected to any players during the ongoing opening game between India Blue and India Green teams in Bengaluru. However, there is a possibility of carrying out a few tests during the next game which starts on August 23.
âWe are looking forward towards commencing this partnership soon beginning from Duleep Trophy. The Duleep Trophy has already started and probably they will be coming for later matches. They havenât specified whether they are planning target testing or random testing. It is expected that there will be a few tests done on match days (in-competition),â Salvi told PTI.
Fulfilling its part of things, the BCCI handed the full itinerary of the domestic games for the season, including the dates and venues, to help NADA prepare its cricket testing calendar. The final stage of negotiations between the two organizations came through after the countryâs richest sporting body was assured that its particular demands would be met by NADA.
âOur primary concern was about the quality of Dope Control Officers (DCOs) and time is taken for disposal of cases. NADA has assured us about both. What we have requested is that we would like DCOs assigned for BCCI tests to be registered medical practitioners (MBBS) with knowledge of anti-doping,â Salvi said.
Of course, the demand for the DCO to be a doctor comes with excess charges and BCCI will be paying that, as clarified by BCCI CEO Rahul Johri. Whether it will be possible for the NADA to arrange for so many qualified doctors considering the number of matches that BCCI organises, is still not known for certain.Â
âWhen IDTM (International Doping Tests and Management of Sweden) used to collect samples, they would assign medical practitioners. We suggested the NADA if they can empanel IDTM registered doctors,â Salvi added.