WADA lambasts ICC for not being serious about dope tests

Mohali, Oct 29 (UNI) ICC may claim otherwise but World Anti-Doping Agency is convinced that cricket's governing body is just not serious about the menace of doping and accused it of not co-operating with WADA to root out the problem.

Accusing ICC of having a casual attitude towards the menace, WADA official Yousef Hasan told ''Times Now'' channel that there was little co-operation from ICC in this regard.

''We've been on many doping control testing missions with lots of federations. We've been dealing with them professionally and they've been dealing back very professionally as well.

''But unfortunately I can't say the same thing about ICC,'' the WADA official said.

''We've been having very bad time with the organisation. They have received a list of requirements from WADA about the facilities we need, but unfortunately what they provided us was not up to the standard,'' he added.

His comments come during the Champions Trophy which already saw Pakistani pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohd Asid being withdrawn from the tournament after flunking dope tests.

Mr Hasan alleged that WADA officials have not been allotted a secure place for the samples, no guards or walkie-talkies and surprisingly no individual rooms.

Mr Hasan alleged he and his colleague Bader Al saeed are sharing the room with medical staff who attend to the players.

He said both of them are paying for their India trip and stay from their own pockets when according to rules, it should be ICC's responsibility. And he made it clear that ICC can expect more flak from WADA as they would be writing everything in their complaint.

''We did our best to make it as secure as possible and to keep the dignity of the samples we're taking. So, in that respect we've done most of the job. I can't say that the ICC has done anything at all to make our mission successful,'' said the irked official.

''Thank God, we've been in many missions before, so we are very experienced. There were complaints from other athletes as well about the place, about the time and things like this. We'll put our comments on the sheets,'' said Mr Hasan.

He said the lack of basic facilities could be gauged by the fact that the players randomly selected to undergo testing were not even provided with any identity cards.

''When I asked one player from Pakistan team about his identity card two days ago, he replied he doesn't have a card,'' Mr Al saeed added.

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