CBSE to conduct dope tests in its school sports events

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to nip the scourge of doping in sports in the bud, with a "dope test" for participants of its inter-school sports competitions.

The CBSE has joined hands with the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) to introduce the test from the current session and ensure that its inter-school sports events are dope-free.

It has also drawn up a list of banned substances, which will be displayed on the board's website.

CBSE officials said the intention was to "follow international norms because CBSE schools abroad will also participate in the championships".

They said the purpose of the test would be to "bring more accountability" to sports and root out the menace of performance-enhancing steroids and other drugs.

This apart, the board has also directed schools organising tournaments to keep a team of doctors ready for emergency cases and to conduct medical tests for age verification of athletes (whenever there is a doubt). It ordered that only a woman doctor could conduct medical tests of girl athletes.

Springdales School principal Ameeta Wattal was a little apprehensive about the medical tests. "CBSE will have to speak to the parents. Even if the parents approved such tests on their children, this should be kept outside the schools because there is a possibility of things going wrong," she said.

She said schools have a basic medical room where no medicine was given to the students.

Lata Vaidyanathan, the principal of Modern School on Barakhamba Road, seconded Wattal. "Parents must be involved in the process for the sake of correct sporting etiquette. It has to be dealt with sensibly along with counselling for the students," she said.

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