In a first, Indian rugby player banned for doping; lawyer says will appeal verdict

Antima, who plays as a winger (the last person in the back line), was found guilty of violating 'Article 2.1' of NADA's anti-doping rules, which pertains to the "presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete's sample". She was tested on October 18, 2021 during the national rugby team's camp at the KIITs University in Bhubaneswar and her 'A' sample was sent for testing to the WADA-accredited laboratory in Belgium, which returned adverse analytical finding (AAF) for 'metabolite methoxy-hydroxy-tamoxifen'.

Antima was served with the notice of charge on December 12, 2021, following which she opted for provisional suspension due to the banned drug falling in the category of 'specified substance'. Her period of ineligibility started from December 30.

According to Nada's records, the athlete didn't apply for the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to justify the presence of Tamoxifen in her body system. "In the light of lack of cogent defense as to how the substance tamoxifen entered the athlete's body, therefore, the panel, hereby, holds the athlete is liable for sanction for a period of 2 years ineligibility.

The period of ineligibility shall start from December 30, 2021," the ADDP order read. However, what's strange in her case was that an Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) official, Sourojit Ghosh, who works as a rugby development officer, represented her during the NADA's disciplinary panel (ADDP) hearing in place of a proper lawyer.

A legal expert could have put things in perspective before the panel, making Antima's defence stronger. "Lack of proper legal aid to athletes making them vulnerable to harsh punishment for unintentional doping is a crucial area that the government & sports