WADA extends Indian lab ban

New Delhi, July 22: In a massive jolt to India’s Olympic preparations, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has extended the suspension of the country’s National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) by another six months citing non-conformation to international standards.

The WADA first suspended NDTL in August last year for a period of six months. A fresh round of inspection by the world body, much to the embarrassment of country’s sporting establishment, showed that non-conformities still existed.

“The World Anti-Doping Agency has suspended the accreditation of the National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi, India, for a second period of up to six months,” WADA said in a statement.

The suspension prohibits the NDTL from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples.

The laboratory’s non-conformities pertain to the

● The WADA first suspended National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in August last year for six months. After a fresh round of inspection the world body has decided to extend the ban for another six months.

International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) identified during a WADA site visit, including the laboratory’s isotope ratio mass spectrometry — the analytical technique of choice for confirmation of prohibited substances.

Sports minister Kiren Rijiju said that technical problems are being addressed as the first suspension notice was served before he took over the NDTL chairmanship.

Currently, urine samples collected by National AntiDoping Agency (NADA) are being sent primarily to the WADA-accredited lab in Doha. —