WADA Reports India Leading in Doping Violations for Third Year Amid Efforts to Boost Testing

com reported. WADA president Witold Bańka addressed the issue on Thursday, stating that "performance-enhancing drugs and steroids are readily available in India. It is one of the biggest producers. " Bańka has engaged in discussions with India's sports minister, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to address the doping challenges.

NADA head Anant Kumar outlined a two-pronged approach focusing on strengthening detection and testing systems while increasing athletes' trust through improved transparency and efficiency. NADA has doubled its testing capacity from about 4,000 samples in 2019 to approximately 8,000 in 2025, though this remains below China's annual testing of over 15,000 athletes.

"I would be happier to see that number go up.

It will tell us that the system is more effective and reflects improved detection and targeted enforcement," Bańka said. He also cautioned that "a lesser number means things aren't right. " WADA director of intelligence and investigations Gunter Younger emphasized that while some athletes cheat, many are victims of the doping process.

"We don't want athletes to be charged with criminal intent," he said. Anant Kumar noted that the anti-doping focus is on high-risk sports broadly, stating, "Cricket is immensely popular but within its framework it still remains a low-risk sport. " India is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is aiming to host the 2036 Olympics.

Cricket will return to the Olympics in 2028 at Los Angeles, adding context to the anti-doping efforts in the region.