Haryana Olympic Association Makes Dope Test Mandatory for Medal Winners

In a significant step to curb doping and substance abuse in sports, the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA) has decided to make dope testing mandatory for all medal winners at sporting events held across the state. Victory certificates will now be issued only after athletes successfully clear the dope test, the association announced on Tuesday.

HOA president Jasvinder Meenu Beniwal said the decision was taken to ensure that Haryana continues to produce clean, disciplined and competitive sportspersons at national and international levels. “The objective is to keep athletes away from substance abuse and help them win medals for the country in large numbers,” he said. 

The move follows recent incidents in Hisar, where syringes were reportedly found in washrooms at sporting venues, raising serious concerns over drug misuse among athletes. These incidents prompted the Sports Department and the HOA to take corrective and preventive measures.

Beniwal also said the HOA would write to the Indian Olympic Association to ensure Haryana’s smooth participation in upcoming international events, including the Commonwealth Games. “Athletes’ rights will not be allowed to suffer. The association is preparing a special plan in this regard,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Beniwal inaugurated a modern sports stadium at Dohka Hariya village in Charkhi Dadri district. Built by Anil Sangwan Kaluwala Construction in memory of Sangwan’s father, the stadium is spread over nearly 10 acres and is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore. Calling the initiative commendable, Beniwal said the HOA would promote and honour individuals contributing to sports development. He also announced plans to construct a rowing (boating) stadium in Kaluwala village. 

Charkhi Dadri Deputy Commissioner Dr Munish Nagpal, Sangwan Khap head and former MLA Sombir Sangwan, along with several international athletes, awardees, and senior IAS and IPS officers, attended the event. Men’s and women’s kabaddi competitions were also organised.

Beniwal reiterated that Haryana remains a major sports hub and expressed confidence that athletes would win 36 gold medals by 2036, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He said the HOA had also banned gun culture, issued advisories on inspection of sports equipment following recent athlete deaths, and warned against fake and unrecognised sports bodies. The Haryana government, he added, plans to modernise 100 rural stadiums within a year.