Zeecric Bureau
Bangalore: Even as the BCCI stands behind Indian cricketers in their defiance of WADA’s anti-doping policy that requires players to keep WADA abreast of their whereabouts at all times, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra feels that the concerns viz-a-viz security issues regarding the information supplied to the anti-doping agency are unfounded.
"I don`t think there should be any concern on individual security as the information provided is only going to the concerned officer and is strictly confidential," Bindra told a news channel.
Bindra, who has been in the registered testing pool since the past three years, said that the cricketers don`t have any choice and would have to join the Olympic movement in the global fight against doping in sport sooner or later.
"It is irritating to keep officials updated everyday, as your plans tend to change. However, out of competition testing is extremely important and one must make every attempt to co operate (with WADA)," Bindra said. "Once you have your basic schedule for one quarter ready, you can keep updating the information. There have been instances when I haven`t updated the information but then they are not coming to test you every single day," he said.
Meanwhile, shooter Gagan Narang also felt that the present system is much better, since information on an athlete`s whereabouts can be easily updated via SMS or e-mail. "Once you get the hang of it, it is not very difficult to update your whereabouts," Narang said.
Former bronze medallist in World Championships, long jumper Anju Bobby George said she never faced any problems in updating the information. Anju said that if one can give valid reasons then it won`t be counted as a missed test. "Once during the monsoon, I was not present at my home when the testers came. It happened again but luckily I was present when they came looking for me the third time," she said.