Bhubaneswar: A dramatic twist has emerged just a day before the felicitation of India’s para athletics heroes. Umar Saifi, who acted as the guide runner for Simran Sharma, has been provisionally suspended by NADA after his sample tested positive for the banned steroid Drostanolone.
The Stakes
Simran, competing in the T12 class (for athletes with moderate visual impairment), clinched gold in the 100 m and silver in the 200 m at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships held in New Delhi. Because the guide and athlete operate as a unit in these events, rules stipulate that if a guide is found to have violated anti-doping norms, the athlete’s medals may be revoked.
According to the NADA list, Drostanolone was detected in Saifi’s sample — and the test is believed to have been conducted before the championship. Saifi, who reportedly began guiding Simran just a few months ago, is also a U-23 national-level athlete and had hoped to participate in upcoming championships.
India’s Big Para Moment at Risk
This development casts a shadow not only over Simran’s achievements, but also India’s overall performance. The 2025 edition was the country’s best ever: a 73-member contingent won 22 medals (6 gold, 9 silver, 7 bronze) and secured 10th place on the medal tally. If Simran’s medals are stripped, India’s medal count and ranking will suffer.
Officials from the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) have confirmed that NADA’s list was shared with the Sports Ministry, urging that those provisionally suspended should be excluded from the felicitation event. The felicitation function, planned at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, was reported to be changed to a closed-door affair following the revelation.
Personal: Simran’s Support System
While the news is fresh, one detail stands out in reports: Simran was unaware of the guide’s positive test before it came out publicly. Her husband, Gajendra Sharma, stated that they had “no idea” about Saifi’s doping case and were as surprised as anyone else. The bond and encouragement from her husband—always a steadying presence—are now more relevant than ever amid this storm.
What Comes Next
The process from here includes confirmation of Saifi’s B-sample, hearings, potential appeals, and formal decisions by NADA or relevant tribunals. If due process deems the violation valid, Simran’s medals may be revoked, in accordance with international para-athletic rules.
For Simran, a rising star in Indian para athletics, the path ahead is uncertain. But her achievements and the support she carries—both on track and off—make this story far from over.
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