Sri Vijaya Puram, June 13: The Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, in coordination with the Directorate of Health Services, will organise an Anti-Doping Awareness Programme on June 15 as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting clean sport, fair play and ethical competition among athletes.
The programme will be held at the Multi-purpose Hall of Netaji Sports Complex in Sri Vijaya Puram at 3 pm and is expected to bring together athletes, coaches, physical education teachers, physical training instructors, sports officials and athlete support personnel from across the Islands.
Officials said the initiative forms part of a broader campaign led by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India to strengthen awareness about anti-doping regulations and encourage a culture of integrity in sports.
The programme comes at a time when sporting authorities across the country are placing greater emphasis on athlete education as a preventive measure against doping violations. Rather than focusing solely on enforcement, sports bodies are increasingly investing in awareness programmes designed to help athletes understand their rights, responsibilities and obligations under anti-doping rules.
During the event, educational audio-visual content and awareness videos developed by NADA India will be screened. Participants will receive information on anti-doping regulations, prohibited substances, testing procedures and the consequences of violating anti-doping rules.
Officials said special attention will be given to educating athletes about their responsibilities regarding medication use, supplements and substances that may inadvertently lead to anti-doping violations. Participants will also be informed about Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE), which allow athletes to use certain medically necessary treatments under prescribed conditions.
The programme is expected to cover various aspects of the anti-doping framework, including the health risks associated with performance-enhancing substances. Experts have repeatedly warned that the misuse of prohibited drugs can lead to serious physical and psychological consequences, apart from damaging sporting careers.
Sports administrators believe awareness programmes are particularly important for young athletes who may be entering competitive sports for the first time and may not be fully aware of anti-doping requirements. Educational initiatives help athletes make informed decisions and reduce the risk of unintentional violations.
The Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs has appealed to all trainees participating in summer coaching camps to attend the programme and take advantage of the opportunity to learn about clean sporting practices. Officials said understanding anti-doping regulations is becoming increasingly important as athletes progress to higher levels of competition where testing protocols are more rigorous.
Coaches, sports associations, educational institutions and support personnel have also been encouraged to participate. Sports authorities view coaches and trainers as key stakeholders in promoting ethical sporting behaviour and ensuring that athletes receive proper guidance throughout their careers.
The programme is expected to contribute to broader efforts aimed at strengthening the sporting ecosystem in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With increasing participation in national-level competitions, local athletes are being encouraged to align themselves with international standards of fair competition and sportsmanship.
Officials noted that clean sport is not only about compliance with regulations but also about preserving the values of honesty, discipline and respect that form the foundation of athletic competition. Building awareness at the grassroots level is seen as essential to fostering these values among young athletes.
The administration has been actively supporting sports development through training programmes, coaching camps and infrastructure improvements. The anti-doping awareness initiative complements these efforts by focusing on the ethical and educational dimensions of sports development.
By bringing together athletes, coaches, educators and support staff, the programme aims to create a shared understanding of anti-doping responsibilities and reinforce the message that success in sports should be achieved through hard work, dedication and fair competition.
Organisers hope the initiative will further strengthen the culture of clean sport in the Islands and encourage athletes to pursue excellence while upholding the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship.
