INDIA STEPS UP ANTI-DOPING PLANS FOR GAMES

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Ahead of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games,
organisers have put in place, stringent anti-doping programmes to ensure the
games are free from doping scandal.

A nine-member medical commission, chaired by Malaysia's illustrious athlete
Dr M. Jegathesan, will supervise all doping control activities during
the mega event to be held from Oct 3-14.

"The OC (organising committee) has left everlasting legacy to the sports
arena
by setting up doping control facilities at all competition venues and training
venues, on par with international standards," said Dr Munish Chander, deputy
director-general (doping control) of the Commonwealth Games organising
committee.

"These facilities will be used solely for doping control after the end
of the
Games. Proper doping control infrastructure will be in place with proper doping
control equipment, training and education material and
a trained workforce of doping control professionals."

All participating athletes from 71 teams shall be subjected to unannounced
doping control tests, anytime and anywhere during the period of the games.


The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has enacted anti-doping standards
for Delhi 2010 and will be applicable to all athletes, including para athletes,
said Dr Munish.

CGF has approved a test distribution plan of 1,500 doping control tests,
250
blood tests, 150 EPO (erythropoietin) tests and 150 pre-competition tests --
the highest ever in any Commonwealth Games.

The doping control would be operational from Sept 23 to Oct 14.

CGF has also nominated five international doping control officers from
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Oman, Kazakhstan and Singapore.

-- BERNAMA