Indian Wrestler Pooja Dhanda Suspended for One Year Due to Whereabouts Failures

Indian wrestler Pooja Dhanda, a decorated athlete with international accolades, has been suspended for one year by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) due to three whereabouts failures. This article examines the details of the case and its implications.

Whereabouts Failures and NADA Regulations :

* NADA, established in 2005, is India’s central anti-doping agency responsible for testing athletes to ensure fair competition and adherence to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.
* Elite athletes like Pooja, included in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), must provide a 60-minute window for potential testing during the year.
* Failing to comply with these obligations constitutes a whereabouts failure, with three such failures within 12 months leading to a suspension.

Pooja’s Case :

* NADA recorded two filing failures and one missed test against Pooja in 2022.
* Filing failures involved discrepancies in submitting location updates.
* The missed test occurred in December 2022 while travelling to the national wrestling championships.
* Pooja argued she offered alternate testing times and locations, though NADA deemed it insufficient.

Disciplinary Action and Impact :

* NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel charged Pooja with three whereabouts failures and imposed a one-year ban on December 5, 2023.
* The suspension retroactively began on June 15, 2023.
* This means Pooja will be ineligible to compete in various tournaments and training camps until June 14, 2024.

Implications and Pooja’s Achievements :

* This suspension significantly impacts Pooja’s career trajectory, potentially affecting her training and preparation for future events.
* Despite the penalty, it’s crucial to acknowledge Pooja’s impressive accomplishments as a world championship bronze medalist (2018), Commonwealth Games silver medalist (2018), and Youth Olympic Games silver medalist (2010).