Domestic cricketers face dope tests next season

Getting serious about their anti-doping measures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to introduce dope testing in their Ranji Trophy tournament from next season. As a step towards implementing the policy, the Board has started an awareness programme for all the Ranji teams.

The BCCI initiated the programme at a seminar for all the state associations held on the 13th and 14th of this month at the Cricket Centre, Wankhede Stadium. Board’s anti-doping officer Dr Vece Paes conducted the seminar in two batches.

Mumbai Cricket Association was represented by director of MCA Academy, Chandrakant Pandit and their under-19 physiotherapist, Niranjan Pandit.

“It was a very good seminar. The BCCI is introducing dope tests from next season and it is a step to create awareness among the domestic players. Some of the players will be naturally wary to hear the word ‘dope’ and the seminar’s aim is to brief the physios to educate the players as to the details of testing, the preventive measures the players need to take so that they are not caught unawares,” Chandrakant Pandit said.

“It was emphasised that the players will need to check with their physios before having any medication, food supplement, sports drinks etc.
“As an example, Dr Paes said that a lot of players take various sports drinks and they needed to be studied on a regular basis as the companies kept changing the ingredients,” Pandit revealed.

The BCCI chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said the Board had started the education programme for the first-class players but did not share the details of their plans for conducting the dope tests.

The teams, which have finished their Ranji engagements, have started conducting the awareness programme.

The Delhi team, which failed to qualify for the quarterfinals, was briefed by their physio on Monday. An anti-dope code booklet about the banned substance was distributed to all their players. A member of the Mumbai team management said they would be conducting a similar awareness seminar for their players soon.

“We have been busy with the Ranji games, we are looking at the suitable dates to have the seminar for our players,” a senior official said.