NDTL signs contract with IDTM, Sweden

The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) here has signed a contract with the International Doping Test and Management (IDTM) Stockholm, Sweden, which is a state-of-the-art service provider of doping control management.

IDTM is an independent body which provides sports organisations with independent global doping control services to ensure drug-free sports and fair competition.

Under the contract with ITDM, NDTL will carry out testing of 300 samples in a year, an official press release said.

The organisers of the 11th South Asian Games 2010 being held in Dhaka have also approached NDTL to carry out testing of 300 samples during the games from January 29 to February 9, 2010.

Iran NADO Secretary General has also requested for the tariff of testing to sign a contract with NDTL for testing of samples.

Apart from these, the NDTL is receiving queries from the various agencies for testing of samples from countries such as Nepal, Kuwait, Doha, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the release said.

The laboratory has done testing of 242 samples for various international games after obtaining World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accreditation. Apart from receiving competition samples for the international events held in India, it has also received samples from Muscat and Pakistan for out of competition testing, it said.

The Government has said that it would enhance NDTL's testing capacity from the 2000 samples at present to 3000 samples in 2009 and to 5000 samples by next year. It also aims to set up the new test methods for human growth hormone, blood parameters and Erythropoietin prior to June 2010. Its mid term goal is to provide quality testing services at competitive rates for international samples.

After the Commonwealth Games to be hosted by Delhi in October next year, NDTL will move towards long-term goals to diversify in research areas in collaboration with various national and international institutes.

NNN