Promoting Clean Sports: Indian Olympic Association's Anti-Doping Initiative
Importance of Education in Combating Doping
Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has emphasized the critical need for comprehensive education among athletes, coaches, and support staff to effectively address doping issues in Indian sports. He believes that raising awareness is essential for fostering fair competition. Since the Indian team’s arrival in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games 2026, the IOA medical unit, led by Dr. Pardiwala, has been actively working on this initiative.
Dr. Pardiwala pointed out the significance of the 'Clean Sports' initiative, a collaborative effort between the Indian Olympic Association and the Neeraj Chopra Foundation, aimed at enhancing anti-doping education throughout the sports community.
'Clean Sports' Initiative to Tackle Doping
"To effectively combat doping, we need to start with education from the grassroots level. The 'Clean Sports' initiative, established by the Indian Olympic Association and the Neeraj Chopra Foundation, aims to ensure that education is prioritized," stated Dr. Pardiwala.
This initiative will concentrate on informing athletes, coaches, and support staff about the dangers of banned substances, enabling them to make educated decisions. The Indian contingent faced challenges during the Commonwealth Games 2026, with judokas Arun Kumar and Tulika Maan, a silver medalist from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, being suspended provisionally by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
Doping's Impact on India's Reputation
Dr. Pardiwala acknowledged that doping is a significant issue in Indian sports, but he noted that only a minority of athletes engage in deliberate violations. He expressed concern that such incidents could tarnish the reputation of the entire Indian sports community.
"India is currently facing a doping scandal in sports, and while the number of athletes involved is small, their actions can damage the reputation of all Indian athletes. Doping is cheating, and we know that Indians are not cheaters," he remarked.
Unintentional Doping and the Need for Education
The IOA CMO also highlighted that some athletes may unintentionally face doping violations due to contaminated supplements or medications containing banned substances. "While some athletes may seek shortcuts through doping, many are simply unaware that they are consuming contaminated products or medications that contain prohibited substances. Education is the key to preventing these issues," he explained.
The Rise of Sports Science in Indian Athletics
Dr. Pardiwala noted that Indian athletes are increasingly acknowledging the role of sports science in achieving peak performance. He explained that while coaches are vital for skill development, elements such as strength, agility, reaction time, and overall fitness, supported by sports science, are crucial for athletes aspiring to excel on the world stage.
"Most athletes now understand that to excel in their sport, they need the backing of sports science. Skills can be honed with coaching, but without the necessary fitness—strength, agility, and reaction times—they cannot reach the top level. It's encouraging to see Indian athletes recognizing the importance of sports science in their training," he added.