Transforming Athletes' Fitness: India's New Standardized Assessment Protocols

The Sports Ministry of India mandates the implementation of discipline-specific protocols developed by the National Centre for Sports Science and Research for athlete fitness reviews. Coordinated by the Sports Authority of India and guided by the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 policy, the initiative aims to integrate sports science, technology, and standardize fitness assessments across disciplines.

The Sports Ministry has taken a pivotal step towards standardizing fitness assessments for Indian athletes by instructing the National Centre for Sports Science and Research to create discipline-specific protocols. The initiative aims to ensure that these assessments, mandatory for uploading on the National Sports Repository System, align with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 policy framework.

In a communication to the Indian Olympic Association and National Sports Federations, the ministry outlined that the Sports Authority of India will oversee this overhaul. The plan seeks to integrate sports science and technology, making athlete fitness assessments both standardized and robust for those representing India in global events.

Furthermore, the ministry emphasized the importance of testing food supplements to prevent prohibited substance intake by athletes. The supplements are to be verified at the National Forensic Sciences University or National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. This measure addresses India's ongoing challenges with doping, aiming to bolster transparency and athlete safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)