India Re-Elected Vice-Chair of COP10 Bureau on Anti-Doping

India has been re-elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the COP10 Bureau under the International Convention against Doping in Sport, reinforcing its global leadership and commitment to clean sport. The announcement was made during the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10), held from 20–22 October 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This session also marked the 20th anniversary of the Convention, the world’s only legally binding international framework dedicated to eliminating doping in sports.

India’s Role at COP10

• India’s delegation to COP10 was led by Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), and Anant Kumar, Director General of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
• They engaged with over 190 State Parties, along with representatives from major global bodies including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the African Union.
• India was re-elected as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia-Pacific region (Group IV) for the 2025–2027 term.
• The position enhances India’s influence in shaping anti-doping policies and strengthening international cooperation.

Other members elected to the Bureau include,

• Azerbaijan as Chairperson
• Brazil, Zambia, and Saudi Arabia as regional Vice-Chairs

Key Highlights from COP10

More than 500 participants, including government officials, anti-doping experts, and UNESCO delegates, discussed pressing issues in global sports governance, including,

• Strengthening compliance and governance mechanisms
• Enhancing funding for the global Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport
• Tackling emerging threats such as gene manipulation, misuse of traditional medicines, and ethical dilemmas in high-performance sports

India contributed to these conversations with policy inputs and in-kind support, including the provision of Interactive Boards that showcased the evolution and milestones of the Anti-Doping Convention.

India’s Contributions and Proposals

India played a proactive role in policy shaping at COP10 by successfully advocating for the integration of the Values Education through Sport (VETS) approach. This educational initiative aims to,

• Promote ethics, integrity, and fair play in sport
• Encourage youth engagement with values-based learning
• Strengthen the role of sport organizations in cultivating a culture of clean sport

This proposal was well-received and is set to become part of a broader effort to harmonize education-focused anti-doping projects across member nations.

Significance of Re-Election

India’s re-election as Vice-Chair reflects,

• Its growing global reputation in sports governance
• The effectiveness of NADA India in promoting anti-doping awareness and enforcement
• A strategic push to position India as a thought leader in ethical and clean sports promotion

It also aligns with the government’s broader objectives under Fit India Movement, Khelo India, and its commitment to international sporting standards.