Sports Minister Mandaviya calls for inclusion of doping education in schools

New Delhi: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday called for inclusion of doping education in schools and launching awareness campaigns in rural areas to give impetus to the fight against the menace.

Delivering his keynote address at the NDTL Annual Conference-2025 on 'Anti-Doping Science: Innovations and Challenges', Mandaviya reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting clean and fair competition in sports.

The conference organised by the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) provided a vital platform for scientists, coaches, physical education professionals, sports federations, and students to engage in insightful discussions on the latest advancements and challenges in anti-doping science.

Mandaviya also stressed the need for greater involvement of sports federations and organizations to ensure that all athletes are well-informed about anti-doping regulations, a release from the Press Information Bureau said.

As a sporting nation, India is among the top doping offenders in the world and is the second-worst country in a 10-year global study of positive doping cases by minors conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2024.

The NDTL conference highlighted the crucial role of scientific innovation in doping detection, addressed the constantly evolving nature of prohibited substances, and underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to uphold the integrity of sports.

Subject experts engaged in in-depth discussions on several critical topics, including innovations in anti-doping science.

They also addressed the challenges in doping prevention, focusing on strategies to combat emerging threats, including the rise of undetectable substances, according to the release.