WADA vs BCCI

The aim of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is to eradicate the menace of drugs in sports. In their drive to implement The World Anti-Doping Program they have included a “Whereabouts” clause in their code to enable Out-of Competition Dope Testing. This clause is the reason for recent spat between BCCI and WADA. Both the sides have their valid points.

The Indian Cricketers feel that this particular clause in the code may invade their privacy. The Sport Minister Mr. M. S. Gill told that if this code is good for other sports and countries why that is not good for Indian Cricketers. Moreover he adds that since the likes of Roger Federer and Usain Bolt had signed that WADA contract, why not the Indian Cricketers. His arguments are valid and to the point.

But one must understand that the freedom of privacy enjoyed by Indian Cricketers and other sports personalities in India are quite different. Even the top sports personalities in other countries like Federer or Bolt would be having better freedom of privacy than Indian Cricketers. Adding to that, Indian players also face security threat. The tone of the statements given by sports personalities of other discipline smacked more of jealousy than piece of advice or an assurance.

The probability of players taking to the performance-enhancing drugs is higher during off-season. The inured players can take to drugs to get cured very earlier. A fast bowler can take to drugs to increase his stamina and speed. So, out of competition dope testing is a necessity to tackle the menace of drugs and thus avoiding unfair play. But then whether “Whereabouts” clause is really necessary? How come WADA will test players during off-season?

I guess the whereabouts information if provided will be known only to the WADA officials and it will not be divulged to media or others. Some kind of whereabouts information is necessary for WADA officials to conduct out of competition tests. Alternatively the onus of reporting for the test can be put on the player himself. So, whenever WADA officials want to conduct any test on a player, the player has to report at nearest WADA nodal center. Anyway the players can be communicated by means of email or mobile. Whatever I understand about WADA “Whereabouts” clause, both sides can definitely relax their stubborn stand without compromising on the ultimate goal of eradicating drugs from the sports.

WADA Whereabouts Clause: GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING AN EFFECTIVE ATHELETE WHEREABOUTS PROGRAM. Some excerpts from this document:

“The Signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code recognize that effective Out-of-Competition Testing programmes are essential to the fight against doping in sport. They also recognize that effective Out-of-Competition Testing depends upon accurate and complete Athlete whereabouts information. As a result, the Code requires Athletes in Registered Testing Pools: (a) to provide detailed information, on a quarterly basis, about their whereabouts in the following quarter; and (b) to be available at those whereabouts for Out-of-Competition Testing. If an Athlete in a Registered Testing Pool fails to meet those requirements three (3) or more times in any 18-month period, he/she commits an anti-doping rule violation under Code Article 2.4, and is liable to be banned from sport for a period of between 12 and 24 months (or more if it is a repeat offence). See Code Articles 10.3.3 and 10.7.”