An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude, leading to injuries and prompting a psychoactive substance screening for the pilot-in-command, with confirmatory test results now awaited.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) has voiced concerns regarding the high rate of doping cases in India and the alleged practice of athletes receiving advance notice before testing, potentially jeopardising the nation's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
National Games silver medallist K M Deeksha has failed a dope test, according to sources. India maintains top spot in AIU list of currently ineligible athletes.
Discus thrower Banvir Singh has been banned for seven years by the National Anti-Doping Agency's Appeal Panel (ADAP) for failing a dope test. The ADAP enhanced the ban period, adding two years to the original punishment. Long distance runner Harendra Kumar has also been handed another four-year suspension.
India's sporting landscape is grappling with a pervasive age fraud issue, as evidenced by hundreds of disqualifications in recent championships. Experts highlight the systemic nature of the problem, driven by a chaotic birth registration system and the allure of early career advantages. While the BCCI has implemented bone density tests, limitations persist, prompting calls for stricter measures, including criminal deterrence and a comprehensive national database, to safeguard the integrity of youth sports.
India is set to begin its Asian Games shooting campaign in Nagoya with a formidable 30-member squad, featuring Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and other world-class performers. The team aims to build on its previous success, with strong prospects in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events, facing a significant challenge from China.
The Sports Ministry has invested over Rs 702 crore in the last three years to prepare Indian athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, featuring 310 debutants.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been notified by the International Testing Agency (ITA) for a missed out-of-competition doping test dating back to December 18, 2025. This marks her first whereabouts failure in the last 12 months and serves as a warning under anti-doping rules.
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample taken during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. The volatile Australian owned up to his "huge mistake" in a public apology, citing the physical and mental toll of recent injuries.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been notified by the International Testing Agency (ITA) for a missed out-of-competition doping test dating back to December 18, 2025. This marks her first whereabouts failure in the last 12 months and triggers a warning under anti-doping regulations.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) pledges to collaborate with NADA and the Sports Ministry to address doping concerns after the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) categorised India as a high-risk country for doping violations.
Afghanistan's anti-doping programme has collapsed since the Taliban's return to power, with no tests conducted for three years and the country's exiled anti-doping chief admitting there is currently 'no hope'. The programme faces numerous challenges, including a lack of Doping Control Officers, logistical issues, and political instability.
National Games gold medallist Jasmine Kaur has been banned for two years after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary panel (ADDP) found her guilty of using Terbutaline.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has implemented a new two-stage trial system for the 2026 Senior World Championships. This policy allows wrestlers participating in the Asian Games to also compete for a spot in the World Championships team through a "final trial," addressing the overlap between the two major events. The first phase of trials is scheduled for September 14-15, with specific provisions for certain weight categories and U23 championships.
The Delhi High Court has sought WFI's response on Vinesh Phogat's plea to participate in the September 14 selection trials for the 2026 World Championship.
Asian Games gold-winning quarter-miler VK Vismaya has been suspended for two years by NADA after testing positive for a banned substance, while sprinter N Shanmuga Srinivas received a four-year ban for evading sample collection.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 492-member Indian contingent, comprising 265 male and 227 female athletes, for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Athletics forms the largest group with 73 participants, including star athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Jyothi Yarraji. Other prominent sports like shooting, weightlifting, badminton, boxing, and wrestling also feature strong teams, with some adjustments made due to doping violations.
Olympian Vinesh Phogat has moved the Delhi High Court challenging two show-cause notices issued by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.
India has been designated as a country with an 'extremely high' risk of doping by World Athletics, leading to more stringent anti-doping measures for Indian athletes.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will assess the performance of India's National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in the coming months, a process described as routine by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). WADA President Witold Banka expressed satisfaction with the facility after a recent visit, while India is also in the running to host the next WADA Global Education Conference.
The Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA are actively discussing to make psychoactive substance testing standards for all commercial pilots.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is shifting its focus from individual athletes to the criminal networks that supply performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), recognising that athletes are often victims of sophisticated doping operations.
NADA Chairman Anant Kumar highlights the importance of education in combating doping, acknowledging the evolving nature of the threat and the need for constant upgrades in monitoring mechanisms.
World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka is in India to discuss the implementation of effective anti-doping measures with sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and other officials, following concerns about India's high doping numbers.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director General Anant Kumar has emphasised the importance of education as the primary defence against doping, acknowledging the evolving nature of the problem and the need for constant upgrades in monitoring mechanisms.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) achieved a significant success with a tip-off leading to the confiscation of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids, in Najafgarh, following a joint operation with local police and food safety officials.
India is developing legislation to criminalise the trafficking and administration of performance-enhancing drugs to athletes, aiming to combat doping and uphold sports integrity.
Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver-medallist judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for three whereabouts failures, leading to her withdrawal from the ongoing Glasgow edition. This comes after another judoka, Arun Kumar, was also withdrawn for a dope test failure.
Tripura's Asmita Dey, the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold, was grandly felicitated by the state government. She received a Rs 10 lakh cheque and a plot of land in Agartala, with Chief Minister Manik Saha highlighting her inspiring journey and urging her to focus on the upcoming Asian Games.
WADA president Witold Banka, who was in India last week, called the easy availability of performance-enhancing drugs in the country a "serious problem", and met senior officials of India's federal police seeking help to disrupt supply chains.
South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has publicly criticised Cricket Australia's decision to offer a pathway back into competitive cricket for transgender athlete Anaya Bangar, stating, "Absolutely ridiculous. This should not be allowed."
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Banka is in Delhi for discussions with NADA officials regarding India's increasing doping cases. He is expected to address the issue in a press conference.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by NADA for three whereabouts failures, leading to her withdrawal from the ongoing Glasgow edition. She faces a potential two-year ban, making her the second Indian judoka pulled from the Games due to anti-doping violations.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has banned Pakistani weightlifting officials for life and a weightlifter for four years due to doping violations.
World Boxing has lifted restrictions on Russian boxers, allowing them to compete under their national flag in international events, moving away from the previous neutral status requirement. This decision aligns with a broader trend by the International Olympic Committee to reintegrate Russian athletes into global sports, particularly ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The governing body will, however, monitor their conduct and anti-doping compliance.
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has responded to the ICC and PCB regarding his positive dope test during the T20 World Cup, denying intentional use of banned substances.
India has overtaken Kenya to lead the Athletics Integrity Unit's list of ineligible persons due to doping violations, with 148 suspended track and field athletes.
Chelsea is undergoing a significant close-season transformation under new manager Xabi Alonso, with major signings like Morgan Rogers.
Junior Commonwealth gold medallist Sairaj Pardeshi faces a provisional doping ban after testing positive, while alleging a conspiracy to sabotage his career.
Indian judoka Harsh Tokas, inspired by Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri, is determined to win India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo at his debut in Glasgow, competing in the men's 81kg category.
