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| March 04, 2007 | Sunday | Safar 14, 1428 |
WICB taking ICC’s strict anti-doping policy seriously
BRIDGETOWN, March 3: West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) says it was taking International Cricket Council's stance on anti-doping seriously and had already cautioned its players to stay clear of performance enhancing drugs.
Tony Deyal, WICB's corporate services manager, said camp in Jamaica for West Indies 15-man squad was also used to brief team on issue of anti-doping and requirements of ICC's regulations.
“Couple of things that we have been very careful to deal with as well is whole area of ICC anti-doping policy. ICC is very strict in that regard. We will be doing whatever testing is necessary on our own in conjunction with WIPA - of course ICC has its own testing – once players start games (in World Cup).”
In tough stance, ICC announced it would conduct target-testing during upcoming World Cup in the Caribbean. This is in addition to their intention to test two players from each team during 17 of the tournament's 51 matches.
“We are doing whatever we can to ensure adherence to anti-doping policy. We also have zero-tolerance for doping and drug use and we'll make sure we adhere strictly to that principle,” Deyal stressed.
“It's not just WICB going about it. There are very strict regulations at ICC level for all drugs that are either performance enhancing or that may have an effect on players and that list is well known.
“We cautioned players but more than that, they were told 'don't ingest anything, don't take in anything effect of which you don't know. Check list, talk to coach, talk to doctors, we have people available'.”
“As far as ICC is concerned, ignorance of regulations, ignorance of substance is no excuse at all. In fact, one of things players don't know, if you refuse to have a drugs test, it may be construed as in fact being guilty.
“So it's serious stuff. We have been doing this with players before but we are very conscious of eyes of world on us and taking every necessary precaution.”
Official warm-up matches start on Monday with opening ceremony scheduled for March 11. The tournament bowls off on March 13 with West Indies and Pakistan clashing at Sabina Park in Jamaica.—Agencies
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