India has been highlighted as a high-risk area for doping by the Athletics Integrity Unit, prompting the Sports Authority of India to organize a workshop. The workshop, titled Good Clinical Practice (GCP), aimed to enhance understanding of ethical sports science research in preparation for hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030. Conducted at the Return to Play Division, Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, the workshop was a collaborative effort between the Sports Science Division of SAI and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The event brought together researchers, support staff, and key stakeholders to delve into the ethical and regulatory frameworks governing human studies. Experts from ICMR led scientific sessions covering various critical areas such as ICH-GCP (E6) principles, ICMR Ethical Guidelines, and the roles and responsibilities of investigators and Institutional Ethics Committees (IECs). The workshop also addressed informed consent processes and the management of serious adverse events (SAEs), as per a release by SAI.
Dr. Stuti Bhargava, Scientist-E at ICMR, stressed the significance of Good Clinical Practice as an international standard ensuring the ethical and scientific quality of clinical trials involving human subjects. Compliance with these standards, she emphasized, is crucial for protecting participants’ rights, safety, and well-being, as well as ensuring the credibility and integrity of trial data for regulatory submissions and adherence to global guidelines.
Brig. (Dr) Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, Executive Director of the Sports Science Division at SAI, highlighted the moral responsibility of adhering to Good Clinical Practice in sports science research. He emphasized that ethical compliance, participant safety, and data integrity are essential for building trust and generating credible evidence that contributes directly to athlete performance and well-being. Such initiatives, he noted, are pivotal in familiarizing researchers with global best practices and strengthening India’s sports science research ecosystem.
