NADA to resume online hearings

New Delhi, May 6: The National Anti-Doping Agency’s Director General Navin Agarwal on Wednesday said the body will conduct its disciplinary hearings online from Friday despite the many logistical challenges to ensure cases don’t pile up due to the national lockdown.

NADA hearings have not been taking place due to the lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“That’s right, we will be starting with our online hearings from May 8. Both Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and AntiDoping Appeals Panel (ADAP) hearings will be conducted for the cases which are pending,” Agarwal said in an interview.

“Last year, they (ADDP and ADAP) did a remarkable job and disposed off so many cases which hasn’t happened earlier in the history of NADA. Our panels disposed off 180 cases which is a record for the agency,” he asserted.

Agarwal acknowledged that the unprecedented step would have its share of operational hassles.

Listing inconsistent or unavailable internet as one of them, Agarwal said athletes will be allowed to participate via audio calls to ensure that things can be managed smoothly.

“We understand that the athlete needs to have the (internet) facility at his home for the hearings. We have made arrangements at our level.

“It will only be done on the availability of an athlete through either audio or video. I know in rural areas, internet bandwidth can be an issue or network, we are game with even an audio recording or a conference call,” he explained.

NADA had earlier conceded that testing has become difficult because of the lockdown. Agarwal said efforts are on streamline the process.

“We are requesting the ministry as the campuses in NIS Patiala and Spots Authority of India (SAI) Bengaluru are closed and have barred entry or exit of any outsiders as per government guidelines.

“So we are taking this up with ministry and would like to know whether our Dope Control Officers (DCOs) will be allowed inside the campuses for testing subject to all clearances,” he said. —

We will be starting with our online hearings from May 8. Both Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and Anti-Doping Appeals Panel (ADAP) hearings will be conducted for the cases which are pending.

— NAVIN AGARWAL Director General of the National Anti-Doping Agency