Press Release
First governing general body meeting
The government on Monday 05/01/09 approved Rs 10 crore to enhance the annual testing capacity of the National Dope Test Laboratory (NDTL) and make it one of the world’s leading dope testing laboratories.
The decision was taken by Sports Minister M S Gill, who chaired the first meeting of the NDTL’s General Body and Governing Body.
At present, NDTL is testing around 2,000 samples annually, which is proposed to be enhanced to 3,000 in the current calendar year 2009 as per WADA norms, and which is to be further enhanced to 5,000 samples in 2010.
Several other decisions were taken in the meeting, which include the approval of recruitment rules for 18 newly created posts of scientific and administrative staff; approval of tariff structure for the testing of samples and also introducing EPO, blood and growth hormone testing in NDTL.
Gill emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between NDTL, National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports Federations for promoting clean sports in India.
Additional staff and equipment for this purpose were also approved by the Governing Body, after taking into account the requirement of EPO, blood and growth hormone testing, which WADA has recently mandated all accredited labs to achieve by the end of 2009.
Sports Minister Inaugurates New Complex of NDTL
Dr. M.S. Gill, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports has inaugurated the new building of National Dope Testing Laboratory(NDTL) here today in the presence of the Sports Secretary, senior officials of the NDTL , Sports Authority of India and CPWD.
The new and modern premises of the NDTL is the first building handed over by the CPWD to the Sports Ministry for the Commonwealth Games, 2010. NDTL will shift in this building fitted with all modern amenities and latest state –of- art equipment soon so as to take up latest tests prescribed by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). With an objective to make the NDTL a world class laboratory , an Action Plan for up gradation and modernization of the NDTL at an estimated expenditure of Rs 14 crore , has also been approved by its Governing Body in December last year. As per the Plan, the technical strength of the Laboratory is also being enhanced to raise its testing capacity from the current level of 2000 samples per annum to 5000 samples in 2010. The technical skills of the existing staff of the NDTL are also being upgraded through training and exposure at other advanced laboratories in the world.
While Addressing on the occasion, Dr Gill reiterated its commitment to take all measures to rid sports of the menace of doping and create a clean and healthy enviournment for sports in India. He also stated that the NDTL has not only to be strengthened technically but also ensured that its functioning is totally autonomous and independent and no extraneous considerations come in the way of its fair and free functioning. He said that in accordance with Anti Doping Rules, the Ministry has already constituted Disciplinary, Appeal and Therapeutic Use Exemption Panels with eminent judicial personalities, medical practitioners and retired sports persons of repute. Earlier, National Anti Doping Agency ( NADA) was reconstituted by inducting eminent medical experts and sports persons, the Minister added.
The dope testing Lab in India was established in 1990 (as Dope control Centre under Sports Authority of India) with minimum facilities and equipment. The lab got modernized in 2002 with an aim to get it permanently accredited by International Olympic Commission and WADA. In 2002, the lab got ISO 9001:2000 certification and later ISO 17025:2005 accreditation in 2003. The ISO 17025:2005 accreditation was the eligibility criteria for applying for WADA accreditation. After successfully completing the probationary period by participation in quarterly proficiency testing rounds of WADA, the lab got the WADA accreditation on Sept 21, 08 which was granted up to 31st Dec, 2008. Further, on the basis of evaluation of the proficiency testing participation results for the year 2008, the WADA accreditation status is extended for the year 2009.
The NDTL is equipped with all the essential equipments to meet the testing load of 2000 samples in a year. It is proposed to increase the testing ability of the lab to 3000 samples in the year 2009 and 5000 samples in 2010.
After obtaining WADA Accreditation, the NDTL has done International testing for Commonwealth Youth Games, 2008(Oct.12-18, 2008), Asian Junior Boxing championship( Sept 30,2008 ),World Badminton Championship, (Nov. 2008.), Football championship, Oman, Muscat (Dec 2008 ) and Four Nations Gold Cup International Hockey Tournament (Feb 09). Recently , a query has also been received from International doping test and management (IDTM), Stockholm for testing of 300 samples. Apart from these, the NDTL is receiving queries from the various International agencies for testing of samples viz Nepal, Pakistan and Kuwait.