The Sports Authority of India (SAI), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and the Safdarjung Sports Injury Centre (SIC), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 10, 2026, 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 optimization through scientific interventions.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Brig. (Dr.) Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, Executive Director of SAI's Sports Science Division, signed on behalf of SAI, while (Dr.) Deepak Joshi, Director of Safdarjung Sports Injury Centre, signed on behalf of SIC.
Secretary Rao emphasized that the future of high-performance sport depends on the seamless integration of sports science and sports medicine, noting that this MoU establishes a strong institutional framework for collaborative research, scientific innovation, athlete monitoring, and rehabilitation. Ms. Srivastava stated that sports medicine and science have become indispensable components of athlete health and performance, reflecting the shared commitment of both ministries to integrate medical excellence with sports science expertise.
The collaboration is aligned with the Government of India's vision of building a scientifically enabled, athlete-centric, and globally competitive sporting ecosystem. It 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. 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.