Learning all about anti-doping

With an aim to provide a training module which would give students an opportunity to be recruited as Dope Control Officers, Manav Rachna International University (MRIU), in collaboration with National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) conducted a two-day workshop on anti-doping.

The workshop had lectures by dignitaries like Dr Alka Beotra, quality control and scientific officer, National Dope Testing Laboratory. She is also the vice president, Indian Association of Sports Medicine. Dr S Perumal, senior scientific officer, National Anti-Doping Agency, Dr  V K  Mahna, Pro-Vice Chancellor, MRIU, Dr G L Khanna, Dean, FAS (Faculty of Applied Sciences), MRIU among others.

Alka Beotra and Dr S Perumal guided students on the significance of anti-doping by giving them a broad overview and discussing its various aspects including doping and nutritional supplements.

Students were guided about therapeutic use exemption (where the athlete is given the authorisation to take the medication if required), sample analysis, collection and procedures behind the testing of drugs.

Beotra mentioned about the first incident of doping dating back to 1896 when Arthur Linton tested positive for Ephedrine.

She says, “Sports athletes sometimes take drugs to get more strength, improve muscle power, mask injury and reduce fatigue. Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sports.”
The workshop was attended by students not only from MRIU but Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Hamdard and ISIC (Indian Spinal Injuries Centre) too.

Rabiya, who is doing MA in Nutrition and Dietetics, says, “It was one-of-a kind workshop organised in our institute. In the two-day workshop we learnt some of the simple facts about health supplements given by gym instructors. Today, people are consuming it without giving a thought that they are adulterated and are not good for health.”

Dr Pooja Anand, head of department, Physiotherapy, MRIU says, “Anti-doping plays an important role in sports. The main aim was to impart knowledge about various anti-doping measures targeting students who wish to be physiotherapists, sportspersons, nutritionists, sports academicians and practitioners in the coming time.

The course is expected to equip the attendees to work as dope control team members in various capacities. They will be recruited by NADA for covering various sporting events.”