Expectations from the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) to lift the ban on National Anti Doping Agency’s National Dope Test Laboratory (NDTL) have been severely dented after sample of four players found positive in the testing of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) from NDTL has been found to be negative in the WADA test. It is also to be noted that based on the result of NDTL ADA had suspended these four players.
Now NDTL Lab will have to prove the testing process right before WADA’s Lab Expert Group. If NDTL fails to do so, it may have to face dangerous consequences. In such a situation, the WADA can impose a permanent or very lengthy restriction on the lab. WADA may decide on the fate of NDTL this month.
According to recent reports, WADA had sought a documentation package of 38 Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) tests conducted from 1 January 2016 to 19 August 2019 at NDTL, out of which four samples gave varying results. All four samples were sent to Rome Lab for testing. All four samples were positive in NDTL, but these four were found negative in Rome Lab.
Sources close to the development revealed that the four results are of the players who are not so famous. The four players include- two track and field athletes, a fencer and a cyclist. NDTL has also handed the reports of these four from WADA to NADA and now the latter is thinking of revoking the suspension on these players.
WADA has indicated that NDTL will not be visited on their behalf without fixing the IRMS, but IRMS has not yet been rectified in NDTL. Sources claim that there is a possibility that the ban on NDTL can continue for a few more months.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also wrote a letter to WADA requesting them to uplift the restriction on the lab leaving only IRMS aside, however, WADA did not agree to it. On the other hand, the Sports Ministry started the process of obtaining the ISO certificate of the lab on Monday. Two scientists from Germany have been called for this.
