Arjuna Awardee Indian goalkeeper Subrata Pal fails dope test, faces suspension

Subrata Pal is an Arjuna awardee

What’s the story?

In a blow to the entire Indian sporting fraternity, Indian national team goalkeeper Subrata Pal has failed a dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency and now faces suspension.

Pal, who keeps goal for I-League side DSK Shivajians, failed a dope test which was conducted on March 18th, prior to the Indian national team’s friendly game against Cambodia. India went on to win the match against Cambodia 3–2, but Pal didn’t play a single minute as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stood between the posts.

The context

The dope test was conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in India’s national team camp, a day before the team left for Cambodia. NADA has confirmed Pal’s transgressions by sending a letter to the All India Football Federation, informing that the player had failed a dope test.

The heart of the matter

Pal, who turns out in NorthEast United’s colours in the Indian Super League, is a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award. The 30-year-old from Sodepur, West Bengal received the award in 2016. He has been a regular in goal for the Indian national team over the past few years, having amassed 64 caps.

That such a role model faces suspension for failing a dope test is damning for Indian football and the entire sporting scene in India.

What’s next?

It is not yet known the extent of the sanctions Pal will face now, but he will nevertheless be suspended. Pal’s dope-related offence is the latest in a line of similar dope-related offences which have been on the rise in India since 2009. 687 Indian athletes have been banned for doping since 2009, a number that doesn’t seem to be on the wane.

In 2014, India was only behind Russia and Italy for countries with the most number of doping offenders, and that is a shame for a country where sports has started to grow in the last few years.

Author’s Take

Pal’s offence may have a lot of impact in the Indian footballing scene as being an Arjuna awardee, he is looked up to by the young generation and is an inspiration. Whether Pal’s offence heavily impacts Indian football remains to be seen, but it will certainly leave a black mark on the canvas of Indian football.

It is uncertain where Pal’s career is headed to next, but failing a dope test will definitely limit his chances of playing at the highest level and representing India in the future.