New anti-dope code in 2009: ICC

Dubai, Dec 31: The International Cricket Council said that the new anti-doping code will be implemented by next year.

ICC came up with a new anti-doping code to ensure that the sport is free of banned substances. The code which is effective from Thursday, Dec 25 was recently given unanimous approval by all members of ICC board. The adoption of this strengthened ICC Anti-Doping Code coincides with the amendment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

New anti-doping code gives more flexibility to any hearing panel appointed in terms of the sanctions and penalties that may be imposed against players who test positive for a banned substance. This also means that the players should be available for testing at any time, any day of the year, whether it is at ICC events, bilateral series or even out of competition.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive said, "The ICC has a zero-tolerance approach to doping in cricket and this new code serves to reinforce that position." ICC became a WADA signatory in July 2006 and has been testing at its events since 2002.

In accordance with the new code ICC will set-up a doping hearing panel, of which three members will be selected to sit as an anti-doping tribunal from time to time to hear the case of violation. The chairperson of the tribunal is required to be legally qualified while the others on the tribunal will have legal, medical or technical expertise with specific experience in anti-doping matters. Each member of the doping hearing panel shall be independent of the ICC.

To curb the menace of doping, ICC has also circulated a template anti-doping code for all of its members to adopt in order to help them to govern anti-doping matters at a domestic level in a consistent and WADA Code-compliant manner.