Sports Minister Anurag Thakur Inaugurates Testing Centre for Health Supplements Used by Athletes
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar.
In a bid to ensure that athletes steer clear of contaminated supplements, which are also often cited as reason for failed dope tests by offenders caught in the anti-doping net, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday inaugurated a Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar that would evaluate such add-ons.
The minister virtually inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons (CoE-NSTS) at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
CoE-NSTS will test supplements for sportspersons to ensure only the best products are available to athletes preparing for mega-events.
When we talk about the Road to Paris, all we have to say is play safe, play clean and play fair. For that, awareness is very important. Apart from awareness, you need to have the right facilities for the athletes, said Thakur on the sidelines of the ‘Road to Paris 2024: Championing Clean Sports and Uniting for Anti-Doping’ conference.
Till now, there was no facility for testing nutritional supplements. Now we have it in place. So, if there are contaminated supplements in gyms, power enhancers, they too can be checked through this now. Athletes can also get good quality supplements to improve their performance, he added.
Doping has been the bane of Indian sports and a lot of times, athletes caught during testing plead innocence claiming accidental ingestion of banned substances due to spurious supplements and medicines.
Stressing upon the principles of fair play, Thakur said integrity is essential and the country would like to put its best foot forward at the Paris Olympic Games in July-August this year.
CoE-NSTS, he said, was a step in creating the facilities that would ensure greater transparency.
CoE-NSTS will do research on nutritional supplements and sportspersons can get more information on the nutrients. It is very important for Road to Paris 2024 that we create awareness among athletes with regard to anti-doping activities and keep them away from doping, he said.
The minister said the establishment of CoE-NSTS aligns with the ministry’s goal to develop nutritional supplement testing facilities in India
Praising the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Thakur said, NADA’s efforts in promoting clean sport and anti-doping measures have played a crucial role in educating athletes, conducting tests, and enforcing anti-doping rules and policies.
The inaugural of the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons signals a proactive step by the Indian government in ensuring fair play and eliminating doping in sports. The facility, located at the National Forensic Sciences University, will be instrumental in evaluating the quality and safety of supplements used by athletes in their preparations for major events.
Contaminated supplements have been a recurring issue, often leading to failed doping tests and tarnished careers. By inaugurating the Centre of Excellence, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur aims to address this problem by providing athletes with access to tested and verified supplements. The facility will not only serve as a testing ground for nutritional products but also conduct research to enhance athletes’ understanding of the nutrients they consume.
Speaking during the virtual inauguration ceremony, Minister Thakur emphasized the significance of awareness and appropriate facilities for athletes. He highlighted the absence of a dedicated testing facility for nutritional supplements in the past and described the new Centre of Excellence as a crucial milestone in the pursuit of clean, fair, and safe sports. The establishment of the CoE-NSTS aligns with the government’s objective of creating reliable nutritional supplement testing facilities across the country.
Doping has plagued Indian sports, with athletes frequently attributing failed tests to the accidental ingestion of banned substances through substandard supplements or medications. Minister Thakur stressed the importance of integrity and expressed the country’s desire to shine on the global stage at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. The CoE-NSTS serves as a measure to ensure transparency and prevent doping, safeguarding the reputation of Indian athletes.
Acknowledging the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Minister Thakur commended their efforts in promoting clean sport and enforcing anti-doping regulations. NADA has played a crucial role in educating athletes, conducting tests, and upholding the integrity of sports in India.
With the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons, India takes a significant stride towards eliminating doping and upholding fair play in sports. By providing athletes with access to high-quality and verified supplements, the government aims to create an environment conducive to clean competition and success on the global stage. The CoE-NSTS will play a pivotal role in ensuring athletes’ well-being and preserving the integrity of Indian sports.
