We have no issues with WADA dope testing the cricketers: Rathore

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the Indian government had no problems whatsoever with the International Cricket Council (ICC) getting cricketers tested by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) as it was registered globally. The silver medallist at the Athens Olympics was clear about his ministry’s stand on the recent issue.

Rathode responded to the recent developments where WADA rejected BCCI’s statement that the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) has no jurisdiction to conduct dope tests on Indian cricketers since the board is not a National Sports Federation (NSF) and its present anti-doping system is at par with WADA.

“For us there are three people that are very important — the players, coaches and fans. And when doping happens the fans are cheated and fans see sportspersons as icons and inspirations,” Rathore told reporters on the occasion of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.

Doping cheats the fans of their belief: Rathore

“Doping cheats the fans of their belief and therefore it is incumbent on every sports body to ensure that there is no cheating happening in sports. Cricket is no exception. I am glad that cricket is getting their dope control done through an outside agency but when the entire sports bodies of the country are trusting the National Anti Doping Agency, the cricketers can also do that. ” Rathore said, putting the ball in BCCI’s court. “However, we leave it to the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), it is their prerogative as the ICC is a member of it.”

We have no issues: Rathore

Rathore also said that his ministry has no problems with the cricketers being tested by WADA. “When the ICC is registered under WADA, then they have to abide by the doping standards and it’s upto WADA to ensure they get the cricketers dope tested and where they do it can be sorted out. We have no issues with that specifically,” he said.