The war against doping in sport is a massive one. In India, the NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) is making massive efforts to make athletes aware about the harmful effects of doping as well as raise awareness. Last but not the least, the athletes, even from the grassroots level, are warned of dire consequences should someone flunk a dope test.
On Friday, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Sports Minister, launched the KYM (know your medicine) app, another positive step in educating athletes on medicines, often referred to as drugs. “Our athletes are the pride of the nation and it is essential for them to have access to tools that support clean and fair competition. I encourage all athletes, coaches and sports professionals to download the KYM app to eliminate inadvertent doping and contribute to a fair and transparent sporting culture,” said the minister in a media statement.
The app is user friendly. Anyone can use it in English or Hindi. If you type in a drug name, it does throw up literature and whether it can be used or not. For example, when the name ‘lasix’ was keyed in, the app immediately flagged it’s banned. Lasix is a diuretic and not allowed for an athlete as it aids in quick weight loss. A random testing of the app feeding in four different tablet names makes it clear, plenty of work has gone into feeding salt names and various drugs. However, to think every possible medicine, whether it is OTC (over the counter) or a prescription drug, will show up on it may be a bit too ambitious.
Certainly, for those athletes who have suffered and feigned innocence after taking a medicine, this app is helpful. At least, it does provide some information which can later be cross-checked with a doctor. Coaches have done more damage in India and overseas pertaining to tablets being given or even an ointment application. A prominent case in question is that of tennis star Jannik Sinner, whose physios used a cream to massage his leg. It contained Closbetol, which is banned by the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). Even though the ITIA, a third party for tennis, gave Sinner a clean chit, the WADA has taken him to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport). When the case will be heard is anybody’s guess, but Sinner has won two Grand Slam titles this year and also finished as the World No.1. He waits in anxiety, for the WADA wants him to be hauled up.
The KYM app serves as a basic tool pretty well. For those athletes who pop a pill, later test positive and then have to fight cases in the NADA by hiring lawyers and going through appeals and more turmoil, the KYM app can be helpful. However, this app is not going to offer a cent per cent guarantee if an athlete takes some medicine which does not come under allopathy. Nutrition supplements, for example, have caused enormous grief. Most recently, even Cristiano Ronaldo is being hauled over the coals for promoting some herbal supplement. People have shredded him on social media, as many herbal products are not foolproof and have caused liver damage. As an influencer, Ronaldo may have made his money, but whether he is even aware of all this is questionable.
In India, the fight against doping is a constant one. There have been instances, two months ago, where at a small weightlifting meet, almost 50 competitors ran away as the NADA had come for random dope testing. Hopefully, this app will help Indian sports.
As far as education goes, the NADA does a good job. But then, doping can never be eradicated. Constant vigil, anti-doping education and random testing have proven to be helpful.
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