NEW DELHI: In a bold move aimed at upholding integrity in athletics, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has introduced a groundbreaking policy holding coaches accountable for the failed dope tests of their athletes.
The new regulation mandates equal punishment for both athletes and their coaches in the event of an adverse analytical finding. By extending consequences to coaches, the AFI aims to cultivate a culture of clean sports and send a strong message that doping will not be tolerated at any level.
AFI president Adille Sumariwalla emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that it is high time perpetrators are called out, named, and shamed. This proactive approach underscores the federation's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and fair play in athletics.
The implementation of this policy marks a significant step forward in the fight against doping and reaffirms the AFI's dedication to promoting clean and honorable competition in Indian athletics.
"If an athlete is found doping and is given a sentence, their coach will get a similar sentence from AFI," Sumariwalla told reporters during an interaction with media after AFI's Executive Council meeting.
"The coach will be as responsible because this whole issue of doping has gone beyond control. High time that people are called out and they named and shamed and action is taken against them," he added.
"All coaches have to register with the AFI including NIS diploma holders. While filling their dope forms, whenever they are called for dope control, the athletes will have to declare the name of their coach."
Indeed, the new policy not only holds coaches accountable for their athletes' actions but also establishes clear lines of responsibility within the coaching-athlete relationship. With coaches now equally liable for adverse analytical findings, there will be greater transparency and accountability in the athlete-coach dynamic.
"When an athlete wins, the coaches are ready to run and take their cash awards. There can't be only carrot there, there has to be a stick for them also. For one athlete there are five coaches to claim the cash reward."
The AFI has been considering this policy for six months, engaging in discussions with various agencies. This decision comes after consultations with stakeholders at different levels.
Coaches whose athletes are found guilty of doping will be barred from entering stadiums or accompanying any team.
"We will ban the coach. We will inform the Army, Navy, Air Force. We are already working with all these people to say that these people (the coaches) should also be suspended. We will not let them enter the stadium. We will not let them accompany any team. We will not recognise them."
Additionally, the AFI will advocate for the suspension of these coaches from their government positions.
"We are also now working with state governments to say these people have to be removed from whatever post that have been created. If we have to host the Olympics, we will have to improve our game and make sure that we fight this whole menace of doping."
Digitisation of certificates
The AFI has also decided to digitise certificates. The certificates of merit will be uploaded on Ministry of Electronics & IT's flagship initiative- DigiLocker.
"We have decided on digitisation of all certificates. We have been finding a lot of issues of fraudulent certificates. People are forging certificates, taking somebody else's certificates and changing the name and a lot of things to get jobs, promotions etc."
"The government asks us if they are real. This way the government will have access to all the certificates and can directly check," he said.
Participation certificates will, however, be available to download from the federation's website.
The AFI also said that from now onwards technical officials will also be punished.
"There have been some issues in the past on technical conduct. If they fail in their respective areas of technical duty, then the technical official will have to face consequences. And AFI will take appropriate action against them."
Racewalkers to head to Slovakia for competitions
The AFI has also decided to send the Olympic quota-winning race walkers to Slovakia for competition and their performance will determine who makes the cut for the Paris Games.
"Five (7) athletes have qualified for three slots in race walking. So we've thought that instead of them doing it in India, it is better to go and take part in an international competition."
"We'll be sending all of them to Slovakia to participate in international competition And the final selection will be done on the basis of that," Sumariwalla added. Akshdeep Singh, Akshdeep Singh, Paramjeet Bisht, Paramjeet Bisht, Servin Sebastian, Arshpreet Singh and Ram Baboo have breached the Paris Olympics qualifying standard in men's 20km race walk.
However, each national federation can send a maximum of three athletes in the event to the Olympics.
(With PTI inputs)
