Another bad news hits Indian athletics. Bhawna Jat a top-class Indian athlete faced a ban from NADA. The organisation declared 16 months of Bhawna’s disciplinary suspension. According to the rules of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)  - the athletes have to provide their ‘whereabouts’ i. e. a detailed description of where and when they were. This information has to be submitted to NADA in a specific format, if you are unsuccessful in providing this information according to the schedule then the athlete will be deported.  Bhawna Jat was unable to do so she faced this disciplinary action. 

The decision was already taken by the NADA last August. This resulted in Jat coming back from Budapest, Hungary. Also not able to participate in the 2023 World Athletics Championship. Section 2.4 of the NADA Act prohibits the athlete from participating in any championship for 16 months, beginning on August 10, 2023. The decision was made public through the NADA website this Thursday. 

The Indian athlete failed two consecutive doping tests scheduled for May and June 2023. In late 2022, Bhawna was given notice for non-compliance with NADA norms.   

Indian Race-Walking Championship told PTI in an interview that she was not getting the OTP on time. Then, tragically she lost her phone too. “And that's why I couldn't give information about my ‘whereabouts’ at the right time.'