Doping Ban Lifted: Badminton Star Krishna Prasad Garaga Cleared to Play

Indian men's doubles badminton player Krishna Prasad Garaga has been cleared to compete after the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) appeal panel overturned his four-year ban. The suspension, imposed in February 2024 after a positive test for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), was set aside earlier this month. The panel concluded that scientific evidence did not substantiate external use of the substance, reinstating Garaga's results, rankings, and eligibility with immediate effect.

Garaga, a member of India's 2022 Thomas Cup-winning team and a double gold medallist at the South Asian Games, found the ban extremely challenging. He expressed significant relief, stating, "It has been almost one and a half years, and the toughest part would be still going to train and hoping that the decision comes my way." He maintained his training regimen, supported by family, friends, and the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, even while facing uncertainty about his future in the sport.

Recently, Garaga trained in Mumbai with top players Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, demonstrating his readiness to rejoin the competitive circuit. He emphasized his commitment to making the most of this second chance, noting that he is completely exonerated and free to play tournaments. Garaga, who also works with the Income Tax department, looks forward to enjoying badminton even more after its prolonged absence from his life.