High level of dope cases is a concern: Sports ministry

NEW DELHI: The sports ministry on Friday took a serious view of a recent World Anti Doping Agency (Wada) report that placed India as the world’s worst doping offender for a third consecutive time with a record 260 cases of drug abuse by athletes in 2024.

The ministry sources said athletes and coaches have to avoid taking short cuts and look beyond their desperation for govt jobs and state-sponsored cash awards, which at times lead to doping violations.



According to the Wada report, India accounted for 260 adverse analytical findings (AAFs), reflecting a positivity rate of 3.6% — the highest among all countries that conducted 5,000 or more tests.

“It’s a matter of concern and the authorities have already been working tirelessly to eradicate the doping menace from the Indian sports ecosystem. There are two ways to look at these numbers – India as an emerging powerhouse in sport needs to step up its efforts to educate athletes and coaches about the perils of resorting to performance-enhancing drugs and shortcuts.

“On the other hand, there’s no denying that the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) has aggressively been testing athletes both in-competition and out-of-competition to catch the dope cheats and keep the sports clean,” a ministry source told TOI.

“However, the lure of a stable govt job, earning those cash prizes given by states to medallists and getting sports awards by Centre lead to athletes and coaches resorting to doping,” the source added.

Another pressing issue occupying ministry officials was the crisis involving the conduct of the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League this season. “The matter is in the Supreme Court. The impasse could end soon. Some of the clauses in the AIFF’s constitution need the attention of the court.

“If the league doesn’t happen, then AIFF will be suspended by FIFA. The ministry has been facilitating the negotiations between the AIFF and ISL, I-League clubs,” said a source.

It was also learnt that the National Sports Governance Act, which both houses of Parliament passed earlier this year, will be implemented in full force from Jan 2026.

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