Junior national team chief coach Ramesh Nagpuri has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for alleged “complicity” in doping offences.
Two additional coaches, Karamveer Singh and Rakesh, have also been penalised for doping-related violations.
The crackdown has extended beyond coaching staff, with seven athletes—including Paras Singhal, Pooja Rani, Nalubothu Shanmuga Sreenivas, Chelimi Pratusha, Shubham Mahara, Kiran, and Jyoti—facing suspensions for allegedly evading doping tests. This comes as part of an intensified effort to ensure fair play and integrity within Indian athletics.
Nagpuri, a decorated coach known for training stars like Dutee Chand and Paralympian Deepthi Jeevanji, has been accused of helping athletes avoid testing. His suspension under Article 2.9 of the NADA Anti-Doping Rules of 2021 raises serious concerns about systemic doping within the national training framework.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has responded swiftly, implementing stricter regulations that require coaches to register on its portal or face blacklisting. Additionally, an anti-doping cell has been formed to monitor training centres suspected of aiding doping activities.
As the sporting community reacts to these developments, the focus remains on reinforcing ethical standards and ensuring Indian athletics maintains a clean and competitive environment.
