The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) that will be in charge of dope control at the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time might be outsourcing sample collection.

This is because of the high cost of handling the exercise with the event held in the UAE.

As a result, NADA will partner with UAE’s National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) or Sweden’s International Dope Test and Management (IDTM). The IDTM has been in charge of sample collection and testing for the last 12 seasons of the IPL.

It became NADA’s responsibility for sample collection after the BCCI came under its ambit from the third quarter of 2019.  The IPL is billed to hold from September 19 to November 8. The BCCI, due to the coronavirus pandemic, shifted the tournament to the UAE. They are only awaiting the final approval from the Home Ministry.

Speaking to PTI on anonymity, a senior BCCI official said they expect the approved schedule to be next week. The NADA will decide once it is sent to them.

While noting that it within NADA’s purview, he said they would have to bear the cost of sample collection and transportation.

Meanwhile, NADA DG Navin Agarwal decided not to divulge much information when approached for clarification. Agarwal sais NADA will make its decision known once they have agreed on the issue.

The BCCI till the 2019 IPL used to bear the cost of sample collection and testing with the World Anti-Doping Agency-approved IDTM in charge.

According to close sources, options NADA has included outsourcing sample collection to UAE NADO, which is the most cost-effective measure.

Here NADO will collect the sample and transport it to the WADA-accredited laboratory in Doha. Since WADA suspended the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), NADA has been sending collected samples to the lab ever since.

A close source said it is the most convenient option in managing the cost and sample transportation.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed