The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to implement a strict ‘No-Needle’ policy at all the national camps and training centres in the country.
AFI President Adille Sumariwalla told a news agency that the policy has come into effect immediately after it was declared yesterday.
The Athletics Federation’s action comes a month after 20- kilometre race walker KT Irfan and triple jumper Rakesh Babu were sent back home from the recent Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast on charges of possession of needles, in violation of the organisers’ strict ‘No-Needle’ policy.
The AFI, one of the first among National Sports Federations (NSFs) to declare a ‘No-Needle’ policy, has drawn up a protocol, which will be circulated to all the athletes at national camps and training centres across the country.
In order to the implement this policy, the AFI has formed a three-member committee of coaches, which has been empowered to search the rooms of the athletes.
Chief coach Bahadur Singh will head the committee while the other two members will be deputy chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair and chief coach (juniors) Sanjay Garnaik.
