24*7 helpline imperative to keep athletes off dope: Gopichand

New Delhi: Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, President of All India Council of Sports (AICS) addressing the sixth meeting of AICS here at the Conference Hall of Sports Authority of India, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium today, expressed his anguish over the widespread cases of dope.
Former badminton player, Pullela Gopichand asserted that National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) should create a 24*7 helpline to help sports persons consult before taking any prohibited medicine.
Adding in to the rising concern former athlete PT Usha added that only two dope collecting officials deployed to get samples from so many sports persons leads to the inter changing of dope samples.
Speaking at the occasion Malhotra wished the Indian Women’s Cricket team success ahead of the summit clash today.
He also congratulated Harmanpreet Kaur for her stunning performance in the semi final.
He further conveyed his displeasure regarding the recent Dope cases and media’s role in tarnishing the image of sports and India as well.
Secretary cum Director General of SAI, Injeti Srinivas said that MYAS is in the process to criminalise doping and to take strict disciplinary action against sports persons taking dope.
Present at the occasion were eminent sport persons and other sports administrators and senior officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and SAI.