Indian Government reiterates commitment to WADA Code

New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI) India is committed to the global
anti-doping laws and fully accepts the new WADA Code,
including the contentious "whereabouts" clause which has been
rejected by the country's Cricket Board.

Reacting to WADA chief John Fahey's remarks that he had
asked the Indian government's stand on the BCCI's rejection of
the "whereabouts" clause, India Sports Ministry Saturday said
there was no change in its earlier stand of full commitment to
anti-doping rules.

"The Government and National Anti-Doping Agency stand
fully committed to WADA Code including the provisions related
to International Standards of Testing and 'whereabouts'
clause. We have informed WADA that there is no change in the
position of Government of India in so far as implementation of
anti-doping rules adopted by NADA," Rahul Bhatnagar, joint
secretary in the Sports Ministry and Director General of NADA
said.

"India's stand now and before has been the same. There is
no compromise when it comes to doping in sport," he said.

Bhatnagar said the Indian Cricket Board has not responded
to the ministry's communication regarding the advice it sought
about the "whereabouts" clause.

"In respect to the issue raised by BCCI regarding
'whereabouts' clause we have repeatedly been asking BCCI about
the advice they have sought in this matter. But we have not
got any response either from BCCI nor from elsewhere as to
what exactly was that opinion," he said.

Bhatnagar said the ministry will do whatever is required
to get rid of doping in sports.

"NADA has fully accepted WADA Code which has been
approved by the Government of India. The 'whereabouts' clause
of WADA has also been accepted by NADA and and Government of
India. As far as anti-doping in sport is concerned,
Government of India and NADA will take all possible means to
eradicate the menace from sports and we are ready to take the
lead in this regard among other nations in the world."

The Indian cricketers have rejected the whereabouts
clause of the WADA code which requires athletes to give
details of their location three months in advance for out
of competition testing.

Cricketers say the clause infringes on their privacy and
puts their security at risk. PTI PDS
DDC