Athletics Federation of India to penalize coaches of athletes found guilty of doping

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has taken the call to penalize coaches of athletes found guilty of doping. The governing body took the decision on Friday, May 17, after discussing the matter with several stakeholders in the last six months or so.

The AFI has said that all the athletes need to mention the names of their coaches in official forms from now onwards. The body also stated that all the coaches of athletes from various fields need to register with the AFI.

Adille Sumariwalla, the president of the AFI, confirmed the development in a virtual press conference. Sumariwalla said that if coaches get rewarded for athletes’ good performances, they should also bear the brunt of the wrongdoings.

“Coaches of the athletes who are caught for doping and are sanctioned will get a similar punishment. It is high time people were called out, named and shamed,” Sumariwalla said.

“We will suspend the coaches (who have coached dope offenders), we will inform departments concerned and they will not be allowed to enter the stadiums. These people have to be removed from whatever posts they are holding.

“We had talks with various agencies regarding this. If the coaches take a share of the athletes’ cash award, then they should also get the stick,” Sumariwalla added.

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Athletes to train in Poland before the Olympics

Sumariwalla, in the meantime, also mentioned that athletes, who are all set to take part in the Olympics to be held in Paris, need to undergo training from July 5 in Poland. The president also talked about rewarding the players with products after AFI penned down a deal with Puma.

The AFI also mentioned eliminating forging certificates by using the Digilocker app of the government and decentralizing the coaching camps after the end of the Olympics, which is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.

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