WADA President Visits India to Tackle Doping Issues

World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka visited New Delhi in April 2026 to address India's persistent doping challenges and strengthen global anti-doping efforts, emphasizing collaboration with local authorities to curb the production and distribution of performance-enhancing drugs.

During the four-day trip, which concluded on April 16, Banka met with key Indian officials, including Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, National Anti-Doping Agency Director General Anant Kumar, Central Bureau of Investigation leaders, and Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao. The discussions focused on enhancing testing protocols, intelligence gathering, and investigations to protect athletes and uphold sports integrity. Banka highlighted India's role as the world's largest producer of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, or PEDs, and stressed the need for a shift from athlete-focused testing to targeting suppliers, coaches, and doctors involved in doping networks.

India has recorded the highest number of doping violations globally for three consecutive years, according to World Anti-Doping Agency data. In 2024, the National Anti-Doping Agency collected 7,113 samples, with 260 testing positive,...