SAI and Safdarjung Sports Injury Centre sign MoU to strengthen sports science and athlete care
New Delhi, July 9
The Sports Authority of India, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and the Safdarjung Sports Injury Centre, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday to strengthen collaboration in sports science, sports medicine, athlete rehabilitation, research, innovation, education and capacity building.
The MoU aims to create an integrated framework by combining the expertise, infrastructure and scientific capabilities of both institutions to provide comprehensive support for Indian athletes and support staff.
The collaboration will promote evidence-based sports science and medical practices, facilitate multidisciplinary research, strengthen athlete injury prevention and rehabilitation, and enhance performance optimisation through scientific interventions.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
On behalf of SAI, the MoU was signed by Brig. (Dr.) Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, Executive Director, Sports Science Division (Erstwhile NCSSR) and (Dr.) Deepak Joshi, Director, Safdarjung Sports Injury Centre, signed on behalf of the SIC.
Speaking on the occasion, Rao said, "The future of high-performance sport depends upon the seamless integration of sports science and sports medicine".
He further noted that this MoU establishes a strong institutional framework that will promote collaborative research, scientific innovation, athlete monitoring and rehabilitation, ultimately contributing towards building a world-class support ecosystem for Indian athletes.
Adding to it, Salila said, "Sports medicine and sports science have become indispensable components of athlete health and performance. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of both Ministries to integrate medical excellence with sports science expertise for developing robust systems of injury prevention, clinical care, rehabilitation and scientific research that will benefit athletes across the country."
Brig. Nayak further said, "The partnership will facilitate multidisciplinary research, standardised clinical and sports science protocols, knowledge exchange and advanced athlete support services."
He added that by combining the strengths of both institutions, we will be able to develop sustainable scientific solutions that will directly translate into improved athlete performance and long-term athlete health.
Dr. Joshi also contributed and said, "This partnership will further strengthen research, education, rehabilitation and evidence-based sports medicine for the benefit of athletes across the country."
The MoU marks an important milestone in institutional collaboration between two of India's premier organisations in sports science and sports medicine.
The collaboration is aligned with the Government of India's vision of building a scientifically enabled, athlete-centric and globally competitive sporting ecosystem.
It also complements flagship initiatives such as Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), while supporting the country's long-term aspiration under Viksit Bharat@2047 to establish India as a leading sporting nation.
By promoting research, innovation, capacity building and evidence-based athlete care, the partnership is expected to strengthen India's high-performance system and enhance the nation's preparedness for future international competitions, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a physiotherapist working with young athletes, I can't stress enough how critical this is! ✅ Evidence-based protocols and multidisciplinary research are exactly what we need. Our athletes often face career-ending injuries due to lack of proper rehab facilities. This MoU, with Safdarjung's clinical expertise, could be a game-changer for TOPS and Khelo India athletes. Kudos to the Sports Secretary and Health Secretary for coming together 🏅
Sounds good on paper, but I hope it doesn't get lost in red tape like so many other MOUs. We need clear timelines for when athletes can actually access these services—say, at Safdarjung's OPD or through SAI's camps. Also, will this include mental health support? Because that's a huge gap in our sports system. Let's see some action in the next 6 months, not just press releases.
Brilliant! As someone who runs a small sports academy in Pune, I've seen athletes travel to Delhi just for basic physio. This MoU could decentralize care if Safdarjung's protocols are shared with state-level centers. The mention of "capacity building" is key—train our local doctors and physios, and we'll finally compete with China's sports medicine system. 🇮🇳💪 Now, implement it properly.
Interesting from an international perspective. I work in sports science in the UK, and integrating hospital-based clinical care with sports institutes has been transformative for our Olympic athletes. The key will be data sharing and standardising protocols across states. If India can get this right, it will definitely boost medal hopes at LA 2028 and beyond. Good luck, Indians! 🔬🏋️
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