IOA issues directions to comply with 'no needle policy' ahead of Asian Games 2018

New Delhi: The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) issued directions to all sports federation and athletes asking them to follow the 'no need policy' ahead of the upcoming 18th edition of Asian Games.

In a letter to all the participating federations, IOA made it very clear that they should ensure that prescribed medicine carried by the teams does not contain any World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited substance.

The directions further read that the players should keep the prescription of a licensed doctor with them.

During the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, a seasoned India boxer was found to have breached the no needle policy after a used syringe was recovered near the room of the boxer.

Under the no needle policy, needles are required to be stored in a central secure location, access to which is restricted to authorised medical personnel of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CFA) delegation.