Claiming that the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) is now ‘fully compliant’ with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements, Union Sports Ministry Kiren Rijiju has requested WADA to lift the suspension on NDTL.
Rijiju apprised WADA president Witold Banka of the development during an online meeting on Tuesday.
“I have been informed that NDTL has submitted all the 47 corrective action reports to WADA as per timelines defined by WADA and also sent a compliance report on the 13 decision points conveyed by the Chair of the WADA Executive Committee.
“With this, NDTL now stands fully compliant with all requirements of WADA and the International Standard of Laboratories (ISL). I would request you to expedite the process and organise to lift the suspension of NDTL’s WADA accreditation,” said Rijiju, as per a Sports Ministry statement on Wednesday.
WADA had suspended NDTL for six months on August 20, 2019 due to non-conformities — including in relation to the laboratory’s isotope ratio mass spectrometry analytical method — with the ISL. The method, also known as GC/C/IRMS, needs the highest level of sensitivity to detect the presence of the smallest amount of steroid in an athlete’s body.
In July last, WADA had extended NDTL’s suspension for another six months.
Rijiju invited a WADA team for an on-site visit of NDTL.
Besides, the Sports Minister offered to support WADA in terms of greater financial contribution as well as manpower resources.
“We are good at scientific research and I feel that the presence of Indian representatives in your various committees will be beneficial,” said Rijiju.
