The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) has signed a contract with the International Doping Test and Management (IDTM), Stockholm, Sweden, to carry out testing of 300 samples in a year.
IDTM is an independent agency that provides global doping control services to various sports organisations including the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the International Swimming Federation (FINA). It had carried out doping control for IPL also.
The organisers of 11th South Asian Games to be held in Dhaka from January 29 to February 9 have approached the NDTL to carry out testing of 300 samples during the games.
Much in demand
The Iran National Anti Doping Organisation has also requested for the tariff of testing to sign a possible contract with the NDTL. Apart from these, the NDTL has been receiving requests from various agencies including those from Nepal, Kuwait, Doha and Sri Lanka.
The laboratory, accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September 2008, has so far done testing of 242 samples in international events including the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune last year and the World Badminton championships in Hyderabad recently.
Enhance capacity
NDTL aims to enhance its sample testing capability from the existing 2000 samples a year to 3000 samples in 2009 and 5000 in 2010 when it would be engaged in the testing of samples in the Commonwealth Games.
According an official release, the NDTL was planning to set up new test methods for human growth hormone, blood parameters and erythropoietin (EPO) prior to June, 2010.