In the last five years, so many cases of doping have come to light in international hockey, FIH will be vigilant
Bhubaneswar. Hockey is one of the cleanest sports in terms of doping with only eight players suspended for doping-related offenses in the last five years. The International Hockey Federation (FIH), however, wants to remain cautious in this matter. Since January 2017, 14 cases of dope violations (adverse analytical findings) have been reported, of which eight players have been given suspensions. Almost all of these cases are related to narcotics and not performance-enhancing substances.
According to FIH, in 2021, only one case related to ‘Violation of Doping Rules (ADRV)’ came to light but no one was suspended in this too. FIH Senior Communications Manager Nicolas Mangot said that in line with the goals and ambitions of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), FIH takes very seriously its commitment to clean sporting operations and works to ensure that doping There should be no shortage of associated testing and education.
In hockey, however, the number of dope tests conducted in a year is very low compared to other sports such as athletics, swimming, weightlifting and even football. Around 20 samples were collected by the end of the crossover matches in the current World Cup, which is very few for a global tournament. Till the crossover stage, 28 of the 44 World Cup matches have been played. In comparison, more than 1,600 dope samples were collected at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. FIH, however, said that ‘more samples can be collected’ in the remaining matches (16 matches).
He informed that the participating players have already been tested. Samples are being collected by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials in this World Cup. Mangot said, “All the teams have already been tested. The players participating in this competition have already been tested. This is done by the NADO (National Anti-Doping Organisation). He said the process is managed by the ITA (International Testing Agency) but India’s NADO is responsible for sample collection.
In Hockey 2021, 200 samples were collected from 177 players, of which 127 were in-competition and 73 were out-of-competition. In this, the number of urine samples was 183, while 17 were blood samples. In this, 51 percent of the samples were male players. He said that since July 2015, the FIH has mandated that players participating in its competitions must complete an approved anti-doping education program. Athletes who do not have a valid Anti-Doping Certificate (valid for two years) will not be allowed to play in the competition until they have obtained the same.
