Sports
Drug Scandals Threaten India’s 2036 Olympic Dream
India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games is under growing threat as the country battles widespread doping scandals that have cast a shadow over its sporting reputation.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has repeatedly raised concerns about the high number of Indian athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs, a problem acknowledged even by the country’s top star.
“Doping is a big problem in India among our athletes,” Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra admitted earlier this year, urging competitors to “eat well, rest well and work hard” instead of relying on banned substances.
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In response to international scrutiny, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recently formed a new anti-doping panel, while the government has introduced a national anti-doping bill to tighten enforcement, expand testing, and “ensure the highest standards of integrity” in sport.
Michael Payne, former IOC marketing director, told AFP that while many past Olympic hosts also had doping issues, India must convince the IOC it has strong policies in place.
“The bigger issue is confidence in the overall operational delivery capabilities of the host, and there India has a lot of work to do,” he warned, referencing the corruption-marred 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), India remains one of the world’s worst offenders among nations conducting more than 1,000 tests.
From 5,606 samples collected in 2023, 213 returned positive, with stanozolol, a synthetic steroid, being the most common banned drug.
Athletics and wrestling account for the majority of violations. In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris 2024 Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended.
Experts say many athletes turn to doping in hopes of escaping poverty, since sporting success in India can lead to government jobs with the police or armed forces, offering lifelong financial security.
“Athletes know that they can be punished but still put their careers at stake,” lawyer Saurabh Mishra, who has defended athletes in doping cases, said. “Getting a medal will help them clinch a government job.”
Sports medicine specialist Saranjeet Singh added that while some violations stem from ignorance, others result from calculated risks or even coaching influence.
“They cannot achieve the level of performance that they want at international level and use banned drugs for a short cut,” he said.
With countries like Indonesia, Turkey, Chile, and Qatar also vying for the 2036 Games, India faces an uphill battle to clean up its image.
Beyond doping, analysts argue the real challenge lies in proving its ability to deliver a corruption-free, smoothly run Olympics.
African club football is set for a financial shake-up as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announces a substantial increase in prize money for its top club competitions this season.
According to a CAF statement released on Monday, winners of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League will now take home $6 million (≈€5.18 million), up from $4 million last season. Meanwhile, the CAF Confederation Cup champions — Africa’s second-tier club competition — will earn $4 million, marking a 50% increase from last year.
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Prize money for runners-up remains unchanged, with Champions League finalists receiving $2 million and Confederation Cup finalists $1 million.
The move has been welcomed by clubs, which have long complained that competing in African competitions often results in financial losses.
High travel costs, particularly airfares, have been a major challenge, with many clubs forced to take longer, costlier routes through Europe or the Middle East due to limited direct flights between African countries.
Since Patrice Motsepe, the South African businessman and CAF president, took office in 2021, prize money for African club competitions has steadily increased.
Motsepe, now in his second four-year term, has been championing financial sustainability and growth for African club football.
CAF’s quarter-final first-leg matches kick off this weekend, starting in Pretoria, South Africa, where Mamelodi Sundowns host Stade Malien of Mali in the Champions League.
Football fans across the continent are eagerly anticipating a weekend full of high-stakes action.
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has insisted that the £2.35 billion from his 2022 sale of the football club remains his personal property, amid mounting pressure from the UK government to release the funds for Ukrainian humanitarian aid.
Lawyers representing Abramovich told UK authorities that the money, currently frozen in a bank account under his company Fordstam Ltd, is legally his, despite earlier statements promising to donate the proceeds to victims of the war in Ukraine.
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“The funds — although currently frozen — remain the property of Fordstam Limited, which is wholly owned by Mr Abramovich,” the legal team said.
They added that the billionaire remains committed to charity but stressed that any donation is voluntary.
The standoff has been fueled by sanctions imposed on Abramovich following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which forced the sale of Chelsea.
While Abramovich initially pledged all net proceeds for the benefit of war victims, disagreements emerged over who should ultimately receive the funds.
The UK government insists the money must be directed to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, while Abramovich wants the donation to cover all victims, including Russians affected by the conflict.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responded firmly to the dispute, stating, “This money was promised to Ukraine over three years ago. It is time Roman Abramovich does the right thing, but if he won’t we will act. That’s why the licence has been issued. It is time this money was used to rebuild the lives of people who’ve seen devastation as a result of Putin’s illegal war.”
Further complicating matters, Fordstam’s accounts reveal that £1.4 billion of the total proceeds is tied to loans Abramovich extended to Chelsea during his ownership.
The funds remain under scrutiny due to an ongoing investigation in Jersey into the source of Abramovich’s wealth, which the oligarch is contesting in court.
Abramovich’s legal team also criticized the UK government for relying on public statements rather than addressing the legal complexities surrounding the transfer.
“Mr Abramovich has consistently sought to resolve the complex legal issues preventing the donation from proceeding,” the lawyers said.
Modupe ASUDO
Sahara Group has launched M.A.D with Football 5.0, the latest edition of its flagship internal engagement initiative, reinforcing its commitment to building a connected, inclusive workforce across geographies.
The initiative gives Sahara employees the opportunity to attend live football matches at iconic stadiums including Old Trafford in Manchester and Emirates Stadium in London, using shared experiences to strengthen collaboration and a unified One-Sahara culture.
Speaking on the initiative, Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, said the fifth edition of the M.A.D with Football initiative reinforces the energy and infrastructure conglomerate’s commitment to entrenching diversity and inclusion across its locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Obioma said that over the past three decades, Sahara Group has consistently prioritized people as a central pillar of its growth journey, recognizing that culture and connection are critical to long term success.
“M.A.D with Football 5.0 aligns strongly with the Sahara Beyond XXX narrative, reflecting the Group’s belief that sustainable success is driven by operational performance, meaningful experiences that inspire, energise, and connect people. Sahara continues to invest deliberately in initiatives that recognize effort, reward commitment, and strengthen organisational culture,” he added.
The 5.0 edition builds on this legacy, reaffirming Sahara Group’s commitment to a people centred culture that goes beyond the workplace and beyond geography. By offering Saharians (the term used to describe Sahara employees) the chance to witness world class football in legendary venues, the initiative celebrates excellence, teamwork, and the spirit of belonging that defines the Sahara ecosystem.
Employees who have participated in previous editions have also shared enthusiastic reflections on internal platforms. Juliet Basemera of Asharami Uganda, described the experience as “a dream come true,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be in Manchester. Arnaud Ritz, Sahara Energy Geneva, noted that the trip made it possible to “finally put faces to the names” he previously only knew from emails, and to meet Saharians “from all around the world.”
Oriyomi Adewale, Asharami Energy, Rwanda, called the initiative evidence of Sahara’s commitment to work life balance and employee wellbeing, describing it as “delightful” to be part of a company that invests in employee welfare and memorable moments.
Participation in M.A.D with Football 5.0 is open to Sahara employees in line with internal guidelines, with selected participants earning the opportunity to represent Sahara Group at live matches at Old Trafford and Emirates Stadium, experiencing firsthand the passion, energy, and global community that football embodies.
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