Sports Ministry: Doping Concerns Being Adressed For 2036 Olympics, ISL 'Will Happen'

Last Updated:December 19, 2025, 20:09 IST

Sports Ministry says India is addressing doping concerns as it eyes the 2036 Olympics, while assuring that the ISL will go ahead despite governance issues.

(Representative Photo)

India’s problematic doping record is being tackled aggressively, and a slight reduction in the overall positivity rate in the newly-released 2024 international testing figures suggests that awareness campaigns are having an impact as the country aims to host the 2036 Olympics, a Sports Ministry source stated on Friday.

According to the latest testing figures from WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), India conducted 7113 tests (6576 urine samples and 537 blood samples) last year.

Out of these, 260 had adverse analytical findings, which accounts for a positivity rate of 3.6 per cent, the highest among major countries conducting 5,000 or more tests.

India has thus topped the list for three consecutive years, a factor that could potentially affect its chances when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reviews its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

When asked if the Sports Ministry is worried about the impact of this doping record on the Olympic bid, a top source highlighted the marginal decline compared to 2023.

“From 3.8 per cent in 2023, the positivity rate dropped slightly to 3.6 per cent even though significantly more tests were conducted. In 2025 too, over 7,000 tests have already been conducted and our positivity rate so far is just over one per cent. So, the improvement cannot be ignored," the source said in response to a PTI query.

“To be blunt, athletes and coaches need to rise above their desperation for government jobs which trigger doping violations. Some violations are inadvertent, we acknowledge that, like taking medicines containing prohibited substances, but this is being addressed through apps like ‘Know Your Medicine’," he added.

China, which conducted a staggering 24,214 tests in 2024, had a positivity rate of just 0.2 per cent.

The US anti-doping agency conducted fewer tests than India, with a total of 6592, and had a positivity rate of 1.1 per cent.

Russia, which has been globally criticised for failing to tackle doping, conducted 10,514 tests and reported a positivity rate of 0.7 per cent with just 76 adverse results in the 2024 figures.

Another significant issue in Indian sports is the suspension of the domestic football season after the national federation failed to secure a commercial partner following the end of its 10-year deal with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

The ministry has been actively involved in facilitating negotiations between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and other stakeholders like the Indian Super League and I-League clubs.

On Friday, the ISL clubs submitted a new proposal to the AIFF and the ministry, seeking perpetual operational and commercial rights for a club-owned league model while keeping the national federation as the sport’s regulator.

“Proposals will keep coming but rest assured, the league will happen. However, in this entire situation, one must not overlook the fact that the Supreme Court has created a very awkward situation by approving a constitution which may not be acceptable to FIFA as it allows the court to interfere," the source pointed out.

“The AIFF is not free of blame for the current state of football, but the court also needs to understand that the federation’s autonomy is non-negotiable," he added.

The long-awaited National Sports awards will be announced soon, according to the ministry.

“The scrutiny process is ongoing and the awards will be announced soon, likely in January," he said.

(With agency inputs)

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