5 days ago
Gujarat launches DNA-based sports talent hunt for 2030 Commonwealth Games
Gujarat has started a project that studies athletes’ DNA to help find and develop sporting talent.
Scientists will also look at fitness, performance, nutrition and training information.
They plan to study about 2,000 athlete samples this year and 10,000 over five years.
The first samples came from tennis players.
Athletes in sports such as archery, fencing, judo and shooting may be included next.
The project will look for genetic patterns linked to endurance, strength, recovery and injury risk.
Officials say DNA cannot decide by itself whether someone will become a successful athlete.
Coaching, practice, nutrition, facilities and support are also important.
The state plans to protect athletes’ genetic information through consent and security measures.
Gujarat has launched what it describes as India’s first state-level Sports Genomics Programme.
The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre plans to analyse about 2,000 samples this year and 10,000 over five years.
Whole-genome sequencing will be combined with physiological, performance, nutrition and sports-science data.
Initial samples came from tennis players, with archery, fencing, judo and shooting athletes planned next.
Officials stress that genetics is only one factor and propose safeguards for consent, security and controlled data access.
- Who
- The Gujarat government, the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre and participating athletes.
- What
- A Sports Genomics Programme that combines whole-genome sequencing with sports-science, physiological, nutrition and performance data.
- Where
- Gujarat, India, with initial sampling involving tennis players associated with the Gujarat State Tennis Association.
- When
- Launched ahead of National Sports Day on August 29 and Gujarat’s preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games; about 2,000 samples are planned this year.
- Why
- To make talent identification and athlete development more evidence-based and explore personalised training, nutrition, recovery and injury-risk assessment.
Key facts
- Programme
- Sports Genomics Programme
- Implementing body
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre under the Department of Science and Technology
- Sample target
- Approximately 2,000 samples this year and 10,000 over five years
- Initial athletes
- Tennis players associated with the Gujarat State Tennis Association
- Planned sports
- Archery, fencing, judo and shooting in the next phase, with athletes from many additional disciplines proposed
- Genomic method
- Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of genetic variations
- Planned database
- The Gujarat Athlete Genome Database, intended to combine genetic, physiological and sporting-performance information
- Safeguards
- Informed consent, data security, controlled access and two-level barcoding to protect athlete identities
Quotes
Arjun Modhwadia
Gujarat’s Science and Technology Minister
“Traditional talent identification generally relies on physical measurements, coaching assessments and performance during trials. Gujarat's proposed model seeks to add genetic and biological information to this process, providing a more comprehensive picture of an athlete.”
thehansindia.com
“Gujarat is the first state in India to launch a Sport Genomics Programme.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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