Elite Indian athletes preparing for the upcoming Asian Games are facing heightened scrutiny as experts warn that the widespread use of unregulated herbal supplements could lead to Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF). With the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) conducting unprecedented, large-scale random testing across national camps in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Patiala, the potential for inadvertent doping violations has become a primary concern for the national contingent.
Experts have identified several popular herbal substances, including kida jadi (Cordyceps sinensis), ashwagandha, shilajit, and various bhasmas, as common fixtures in the training regimens of sprinters, throwers, and middle-distance runners. While these supplements are frequently used to aid recovery and performance, they often lack rigorous third-party testing, creating a significant risk that they may contain prohibited substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list.
The Hidden Risks of Traditional Supplements
Kida jadi, a rare Himalayan fungus that can retail for as much as Rs 16-20 lakh per kilogram, is among the most popular supplements used by athletes. Despite its long history of use in Indian sports without a previous positive test, experts caution that current domestic testing protocols may not detect the specific metabolites that more advanced AIU testing could identify. The lack of transparency regarding ingredients in these locally sourced products remains a critical vulnerability.
Nutritionist Mihira Khopkar, who served as the Indian contingent’s nutritionist at the Paris Olympics, emphasized the necessity of strict adherence to safety standards. "In elite sport, it is almost non-negotiable that high-performing athletes choose supplements that are not only evidence-based but also third-party tested," she stated. The failure of many athletes to disclose their use of these supplements during official declarations further complicates the anti-doping efforts, leaving them exposed to potential sanctions if a sample returns an AAF.
Unprecedented AIU Scrutiny of Indian Squads
This wave of testing represents a significant shift in the intensity of anti-doping oversight for Indian athletes. Coaches and officials noted that this is the first time such large-scale, targeted random testing has been conducted ahead of a major multi-sport event. The AIU’s intervention follows a troubling period for Indian athletics, which saw the country top the list of doping offenders in July 2026 with 162 recorded cases, surpassing both Kenya and Russia.
In response to these figures, the AIU reclassified the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) from Category B to Category A, signaling a need for more rigorous oversight. AIU Chair David Howman previously criticized the domestic anti-doping infrastructure, stating, "Unfortunately, the quality of the domestic anti-doping programme is simply not proportionate to the doping risk." The current testing drive is a direct effort to bridge this gap and ensure that athletes competing in the Asian Games are compliant with international standards.
Administrative Challenges in Coaching Staffing
Beyond the doping concerns, the composition of the support staff for the Asian Games has faced administrative hurdles. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has faced questions regarding the exclusion of B Sumeeth Reddy, a dedicated coach for bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, from the official support list. While the federation has named 12 support personnel for the 20-member badminton team, the absence of a specialized coach for the women’s doubles pair has raised concerns about their preparation.
the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has finally relented to pressure from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) regarding its coaching staff. After initial resistance to including foreign coaches, the WFI has cleared the inclusion of three international experts: Emzarios Bentinidis for men’s freestyle, Gogi Koguashvili for Greco-Roman, and Kosei Akaishi for the women’s team. This decision follows a direct rebuke from SAI, which questioned the federation's initial preference for domestic coaches over the established foreign staff.
Future Implications for Indian Sports Governance
The ongoing testing drive and the administrative friction over coaching staff highlight the broader challenges facing Indian sports as it attempts to professionalize its approach to international competition. With the Asian Games approaching, the focus remains on whether these measures will successfully mitigate the risk of doping violations and ensure that athletes are adequately supported by their respective federations.
Unresolved questions persist regarding the long-term impact of these testing protocols on athlete behavior and the ability of national federations to provide safe, tested alternatives to the herbal supplements currently in use. As the Indian contingent prepares for the Games, the pressure to maintain clean records while optimizing performance will continue to test the resilience of the country's elite sports infrastructure.
