Kunjarani Devi exults after a performance. The weightlifter tested positive for dope in 2001 and had to face a six-month ban

Jamshedpur, May 12: The date for the National Games in Jharkhand is not confirmed but the state apex body is determined to be strict on doping.

The Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) had announced surprise dope tests on players in the training camps. Now, it wants to conduct a mega seminar to generate awareness among players and officials concerned.

The JOA is planning to invite the Medical Commission of Olympic Council of Asia to co-ordinate the seminar. The Olympic council members are scheduled to visit New Delhi for a meeting in the wake of 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Jharkhand Olympic Association general secretary S.M. Hashmi said: “We are waiting for the scheduled visit of the Asian delegation to materialise so that we can fix a date for the state. We will try and get at least day a for Jharkhand from the delegation.”

The JOA officials are trying to organise the seminar in the first week of June.

As a mega event like the Commonwealth Games is being organised in New Delhi, the JOA general secretary said, the Olympic delegation would hold a series of meetings on various aspects of dope testing in New Delhi.

The state’s apex sports body is also contemplating bringing in the chairman of the All India Medical Commission to the seminar.

The JOA officials said the seminar would help smoothen out various nitty-gritty involved in the tests, which are among the most important aspect of sports nowadays.

“Though the medical commission has been formed here and doctors specialising in sports medicines have been included in it, there are other officials for whom it is necessary to understand the intricacies of this aspect,” the Jharkhand Olympic Association general secretary added.

The state apex body had announced that it would procure dope kits and conduct surprise tests. The samples collected from the sportspersons would be sent for examination to the Sports Authority of India, Jharkhand Olympic Association officials had said.