In a major development for Indian athletics, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has provisionally suspended Yunus Khan. He coaches middle- and long-distance runners at the Army Sports Institute (ASI). NADA cites alleged complicity in an anti-doping rule violation.

The news has sparked concern across India’s track-and-field community. Khan has worked with several leading distance runners, including Asian Games medallists Gulveer Singh and Kartik Kumar, as well as Sawan Barwal. Consequently, the case raises serious questions about accountability in Indian sports.

Suspended Under Anti-Doping Rule 2.9: Complicity

Official records show that NADA issued Khan a provisional suspension under Article 2.9 of the NADA Anti-Doping Rules 2021. This article covers complicity or attempted complicity. It includes assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring or covering up an anti-doping violation involving an athlete or support person.

When contacted, Khan declined to comment on the ongoing proceedings. He said he did not want to discuss the matter publicly at this stage.

The Paper Trail: A Banned Athlete at a Government Facility

The allegations centre on Khan’s connection to Kartik Kumar, the 2022 Asian Games 10,000m silver medallist.

Kartik is serving a three-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for a prohibited substance. During this period, anti-doping rules restrict where and how suspended athletes can train.

According to sources within NADA, Khan allegedly provided a reference letter for Kartik. The letter reportedly helped the suspended runner access a government synthetic track in Uttarakhand. Kartik allegedly used the facility for training during his ban.

What the Rules State

NADA’s rules restrict suspended athletes from using sports facilities that governing bodies fund or recognise. Two provisions explain these restrictions:

  • Article 10.14.1 (Prohibition Against Participation): An ineligible athlete or support person cannot participate in competitions, activities or training during the suspension period. This restriction covers events and training that national federations, affiliated clubs or government-funded facilities organise, recognise or authorise.
  • Article 10.14.2 (Return to Training Exception): The rules allow a limited exception near the end of an athlete’s suspension. Athletes may return to team training or use club facilities during the final two months of their ineligibility period, or the final quarter of that period, whichever is shorter.

According to the allegations, Khan provided documentation that helped Kartik access a government training facility before this permitted window. NADA’s proceedings will determine whether this conduct breached anti-doping regulations.

If the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) upholds the complicity charge after a formal hearing, Khan could face a multi-year ban from athletic activities. Such a decision could affect his coaching career and raise further questions about the elite distance-running programme at ASI.