Dope tests are not restricted only to sportspersons participating in major events any more.
Even school students taking part in national games conducted by the CBSE may have to undergo tests from this year.
Seeking to sensitise students on the issue of doping in games, CBSE chairperson Vineet Joshi said in a letter to all schools, “To ensure that CBSE Inter School Sports & Games Competitions are dope free, the board has also decided to introduce doping tests in association with National Anti-Doping Agency from the session 2012 –13.
With the government recognising CBSE as the National Sports Promotional Organisation for promotion of school games, the board has also decided to additionally introduce aerobics, rope skipping and yoga on a pilot-basis from this year, Mr Joshi said.
CBSE inter-school sports & games competitions are organised in many disciplines every year for nearly 9000 independent category of schools affiliated to the board.
Meanwhile a parent, Ms K. Latha, said CBSE should restrain from introducing dope tests in school sports and games as it would put students in an awkward situation.
“I don’t think any student will turn to drugs to win a national level school sport competition, besides they will not know which medicine or food product comes under the ambit of dope,” she said.