“We will suspend coaches for drug offenses,” says Indian athletics chief Sumariwalla

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Friday said the same penalties will be imposed on both coaches and athletes if the latter fails a drug test. This initiative aims to hold coaches accountable and promote a culture of clean sport, said AFI President Adille Sumariwalla.

“Coaches of athletes caught and penalised for doping will face a similar punishment. It is high time to denounce, name and shame the people,” Sumariwalla said in a virtual press conference after the AFI took the landmark decision at its board meeting on Friday.

“We will suspend the coaches (who coached drug-related offenses), we will inform the departments concerned and they will not be allowed into the stadiums.” These people must be removed from all positions they hold.

The decision came on the day it was announced that Olympic boxer Parveen Hooda had been provisionally suspended for a reporting violation, which is considered an anti-doping rule violation.

However, it appears to be more of an attempt to maintain the growing prominence of Indian athletics after the Indians have put in some outstanding performances on the international stage after Neeraj Chopra gave it a boost by winning Olympic and world titles and defusing the stain of doping had .

Friday’s AFI decision came after about six months of discussions with various stakeholders. “We have had discussions with various authorities about this. If the coaches get a portion of the athletes’ cash prize, they should also get the stick.”

All trainers, including those with NIS diplomas, must register with the AFI to ensure accountability. The coach’s name must be disclosed by athletes on drug control papers to ensure accountability and identification, Sumariwalla noted. “It can’t just be carrots; There has to be a stick for them too.” This step also prevents multiple instructors from receiving awards when an athlete is successful.

The Olympic competitors, many of whom are preparing abroad, will begin a coaching camp in Poland on July 5 and move on to the Games in Paris on July 28.

Among other key decisions, the AFI decided on Friday to decentralize coaching camps after the Olympics, introduce a similar calendar for state and district competitions, improve the technical management of the events (including disciplining officials who neglect their duties) and certificates of achievement to digitize using the government’s Digilocker app to prevent certificates from being forged for jobs and promotions.