Delhi laboratory gets WADA approval

The Executive Committee of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approved the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi on Sunday during its meet in Montreal, Canada.

WADA in an official release said New Delhi laboratory has successfully completed the requirements of the WADA accreditation process monitored by the Agency’s Laboratory Working Committee. The New Delhi laboratory thus becomes the 34th WADA accredited laboratory in the world.

Earlier on August 3, in a bid to intensify anti-doping mechanism and to bring India in the trustworthy nation of the anti doping map, the Government of India decided to set up an independent National Dope Test Laboratory (NDTL) distinct from the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).

The Ministry of Sports has aimed to make it one of the best trusted laboratories of international standards with all scientific back up. With this approval, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) will now be able to carry out maximum dope test in order to avoid controversies like the weightlifter Monika Devi.

Thus far, Indian authority used to send samples to any other WADA-certified laboratories in Bangkok, Tokyo or Malaysia.

Taking the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune this October and the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi, this is certainly a good sign for the sports bodies in India to prepare athletes with fair and transparent dope testing methods.

It is to mention here that Indian weightlifter Monika Devi was dropped from the Beijing Olympics contingent with charges of doping, though she was later cleared from all charges. However, the careless attitude by the sports body had bared her to participate in a lifetime event like Olympics.