Hockey keeper Adrian D'Souza tests positive for banned substance

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Former India hockey goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza has tested positive for a banned substance in the tests conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) during the World Series Hockey (WSH).

Adrian's 'A' sample (code 2217617) collected March 21 was found to have "higher concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (Metabolite of Marijuana) Cannabinoids".

Adrian, however, has not been provisionally suspended since cannabis is under the specified category of drugs in the list of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Mumbai lad had played for Mumbai Marines during the WSH.

A top NADA official told IANS that the players has been asked to attend the B sample test.

"In a latter dated April 11, we have informed the player that he has failed a drug test. We have asked him to attend a B sample test. It is very surprising to have a player test positive for the concerned drug because it is not a performance enhancing drug," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

Adrian was found to have violated Article 2.1 of the NADA and WADA Anti-Doping Code. He can now can ask for a 'B' sample test within seven days time from the date of receipt of the order and for his case it is by April 18.

Since this is Adrian's first offence he is starting at a maximum fine of two years of suspension from the game.

Twenty players were tested during the tournament and eight results have so far been released, of which only Adrian has tested positive.