Surely ICC wants to take firmer stand on doping to ensure that international cricket is immune from the use of banned substances. So it seeks to keep with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, to make sure that cricketers don't pollute the sport with banned drugs. In line with this, ICC’s new anti-doping code was introduced back in January this year. However, in order to implement the new code, the players need to adhere to ADAMS procedure. But Indian players expressed their displeasure in making Anti-Doping Administration and Management System mandatory. The reason cited by them for the disapproval for this web based management tool was ‘unworkable’ and personal.

Until recently international cricket was not a member of WADA. But as ICC joins the global fight against using performance enhancing drugs in sport, adhering to the ADAMS has now become mandatory. Although, the Indian cricketers are opposing the move, it has a few positive sides. The ADAMS procedure gives clean chit to the players, on   Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) applications. Players can obtain TUE certificates for approved TUE applications.  The Indian team physio Nitin Patel was reported to have applied for TUE certificate from the ICC for fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who intends to use a particular substance administered by several routes including intrarticular, perarticular, peritendious, epidural, intradermal and inhalation. However, as it came out, it was not necessary for the player to obtain TUE certificate for the said substance. Last time Indian Cricket Board obtained a TUE certificate, was for Harbhajan Singh for the use of steroid Depo Medrol during the last home series against Australia.

(Read the Cricket related article "ICC Congrats Wada for Its Initiative")

 

While ICC’s new code applies to all international men and women cricketers participating in an international match in last one year, either as a member of the playing XI or as a substitute, the Indian IRTP players are against the use of ADAMS procedure in implementing the code. IRTP cricketers, who are selected on the basis of their ICC rankings in their respective skill categories that is the categories of batting, bowling or all-rounders, currently include eleven Indian cricketers - Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, M.S. Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Munaf Patel, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj. The adherence to the procedure means the cricketers would have to report their whereabouts on a quarterly basis to the ICC and also when not playing matches. The code also says that players can be tested ‘in competition’.

BCCI has already informed ICC about its players’ qualms about the ADAMS. However, while there is no doubt, ADAMS procedure is personal in nature; it can be a great way of keeping the international cricket free of doping. At least, when our hard-hitting batsmen like Yuvraj or Sehwag make a huge cricket score next time, one can not raise suspecting finger against them for using performance enhancing drugs, if they are ADAMS cleared.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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