AFI announces equal penalties for coaches and athletes in response to doping menace

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has taken a bold step towards ensuring clean sports by announcing a revolutionary policy that holds coaches equally accountable for failed dope tests of their athletes. This groundbreaking decision aims to create a culture of integrity and deter doping in athletics at all levels.

AFI President Adille Sumariwalla emphasized the need to call out and take action against perpetrators of doping. Under the new policy, if an athlete is found guilty of doping, their coach will also face similar consequences from the AFI. This move is a significant step towards ensuring that coaches are actively involved in promoting clean sports and are held responsible for the actions of their wards.

In addition to holding coaches accountable, the AFI has also decided to digitize certificates to prevent fraud and ensure the authenticity of merit certificates. Participation certificates will be available for download from the federation’s website, while merit certificates will be uploaded on the Ministry of Electronics & IT’s DigiLocker platform for easy verification.

Furthermore, the AFI has extended the consequences of doping to technical officials as well. If technical officials fail in their duties, they will face appropriate action from the AFI. This comprehensive approach to accountability underscores the AFI’s commitment to promoting fair play and integrity in athletics.

The AFI’s decision to involve coaches, digitize certificates, and hold technical officials accountable marks a significant step towards combating doping and ensuring the credibility of athletics in India. This move is expected to set a new standard for sports governance and integrity in the country.