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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
What National Sports Policy can do for India's athletes
As someone who has spent decades in the field of sports medicine, closely observing the physical and psychological toll elite sport takes on athletes, I am both encouraged and excited by the emphasis placed on sports science and technology in the upcoming National Sports Policy 2025. This is not just a policy — it's a paradigm shift. For the first time in our nation's sporting journey, we are embedding science, technology, and evidence-based medicine at the heart of athlete development. From injury prevention and biomechanics to mental conditioning and recovery, the policy envisions a system where performance is supported, not just expected. India has made great strides in global sports. But to compete consistently at the highest level, performance needs to be sustained by systems that are smart, adaptable, and medically sound. The National Sports Policy 2025 acknowledges this and integrates sports science, sports medicine, and cutting-edge technology as foundational pillars for the next decade of Indian sports. It gives me immense satisfaction as a medical practitioner to note that the new policy focuses on: Injury surveillance, prevention, and early intervention, which remain essential for athlete longevity; biomechanics and performance analytics to refine training and technique; nutrition and recovery science — areas where marginal gains often make the difference between podium finishes and missed opportunities; and mental health and cognitive conditioning, which, in today's high-pressure environment, are non-negotiable. The policy outlines that facilities for sports science and sports medicine will be established and upgraded at major training centres across the country. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has already begun enhancing sports science facilities and installing world-class recovery equipment at its regional centres and National Centres of Excellence, in partnership with the National Centre for Sports Science & Research. The SAI regional centre in Bengaluru, where our Olympic medal prospects under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) train, has got one of the best sports science facilities in the entire country. Another Return to Sports division was recently established at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. These are multi-disciplinary hubs where coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, orthopaedic surgeons and data scientists work together to support athletes. In a significant step, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had constituted a 10-member medical panel in association with the Indian Olympic Association last year, including myself, to be stationed in Paris during the Olympic Games. For the first time, India had a dedicated medical team on-ground to manage injuries, monitor recovery, and make real-time decisions for our athletes' health and safety. The policy also rightly champions technology as a tool for governance and performance monitoring. Platforms will be upgraded and restructured to improve the transparency and efficiency of various schemes. From AI-driven performance analysis to real-time dashboards, monitoring training loads and recovery metrics, technology will be harnessed not just to track, but to intervene early, predict outcomes, and course-correct when necessary. What excites me even more is that we are not stopping at application — we are fostering sports innovation by leveraging technology for data-driven monitoring and implementation of sports programmes. With the proposed sports innovation task force and research grants, educational and research institutions will be encouraged to explore interdisciplinary solutions, creating a pipeline of ideas, tools, and technologies that are India-specific. In a nutshell, the National Sports Policy 2025 is not just forward-thinking — it is vital. By embedding sports science and technology into the fabric of our sporting ecosystem, we are moving toward certainty — from passion alone to passion empowered by precision. As someone who has treated hundreds of India's top athletes, I know that talent and training are never enough. Support, science, and systems are what create champions. With this policy, we are finally building those systems. The writer is a sports orthopaedic surgeon. He was head of a medical panel constituted by the sports ministry to support Indian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Protecting wildlife: South Africa to prohibit new captive lion breeding facilities
In a landmark decision, South Africa's government is set to ban new captive lion breeding facilities, marking a significant step towards ethical wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives In a decisive move to protect South Africa's lions and reinforce ethical conservation practices, the government is set to ban the establishment of new captive lion breeding facilities. This forms part of a broader initiative to phase out commercial intensive breeding of lions and prioritise animal wellbeing. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said it is finalising a Prohibition Notice that will outlaw the creation of new captive lion facilities in the country. This step follows recommendations from the Ministerial Task Team and supports the Policy Position on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros. The notice comes after animal welfare organisation Four Paws South Africa recently called for government to expedite the implementation of the phase-out plan of the captive lion industry. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said: 'This marks a turning point in our approach to wildlife conservation. By prohibiting new captive lion breeding facilities and addressing critical animal wellbeing provisions in the TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) Regulations to be published in due course, we are committed to enforcing clear, effective, and legally robust measures that protect South Africa's natural heritage and address concerns raised by the public, conservation experts, and stakeholders.' The ban will be introduced through updated Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA), 2004. 'The Lion Prohibition Notice implements a key recommendation from the Ministerial Task Team Report and is in line with the objectives of the Policy Position on the conservation and sustainable use of elephant, lion, leopard, and rhinoceros,' said the Department. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'The Notice prohibits the establishment of new captive lion facilities for commercial purposes, aligning with global conservation standards and ethical wildlife management practices.' The Notice was tabled before the National Council of Provinces on June 10, 2025 and has since passed the 30-day consideration period. The Department confirmed that it has completed the necessary administrative processes for promulgation. Additionally, the Department is working with provincial Members of the Executive Council (MECs) under Section 87A(3) of NEM:BA to ensure effective implementation of the ban. Minister George is expected to provide further updates during stakeholder engagements, including at the upcoming G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group meeting at Kruger National Park. 'We are building a regulatory foundation that prioritises animal wellbeing, biodiversity protection, and practical enforcement,' said George. 'The Department remains fully committed to finalising and implementing these reforms without delay, ensuring a sustainable future for South Africa's wildlife.' THE MERCURY
India Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Asian Champion Jyothi Yarraji undergoes ACL surgery, out of World Championships
Asian champion and national record holder 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji has undergone a successful knee surgery, which will keep her out of the World Championships in September. The surgery has also brought an end to her season. The 25-year-old announced via social media that she underwent surgery on Friday to repair an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear in her right knee. The surgery was performed by the well-known surgeon Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who also helped in Rishabh Pant's recovery after his accident. advertisement'Hello everyone, I'm happy to share that this Friday, I successfully underwent a successful surgery to repair an ACL tear on my right knee with Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. The past few weeks have been tough for me, as this injury has stopped me from doing what I love the most,' Yarraji wrote on Instagram. 'However, with the support of my family, friends, the teams at TOPS, afiindia official and rfyouthsports coachjameshillier and all of you, I am taking this in my stride and hoping to be back very soon. The journey to a stronger version of me starts now and I'm going to put in my 100% and more to be back on track soon." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jyothi Yarraji (@jyothi_yarraji_)Yarraji suffered a freak knee injury during training earlier in the month, with her coach admitting that it was a serious one. Before being hit by the injury, she had a good chance of qualifying for the World Championships, despite not breaching the direct qualification time of 12.73 win in the Asian Championships in May, which helped her win gold, had put her amongst the athletes who can make it to the World Championships through the world ranking won the gold in 100m hurdles and 200m race in the Uttarakhand National Games in February, before securing the top spot in the 100m hurdles in the Federation Cup. She then went on to defend her crown at the Asian Championships. - Ends
News18
14-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Jyothi Yarraji Undergoes Knee Surgery To Repair ACL Tear, Ending Her Season
Last Updated: Jyothi Yarraji underwent knee surgery for an ACL tear, ending her season and excluding her from the World Championships in September. Asian champion and national record holder in the 100m hurdles, Jyothi Yarraji, has successfully undergone knee surgery, which will not only exclude her from the World Championships in September but also end her season. The 25-year-old Yarraji announced on social media that she had surgery on Friday to repair an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear in her right knee. The procedure was conducted by renowned surgeon Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. 'Hello everyone, I'm happy to share that this Friday, I successfully underwent a successful surgery to repair an ACL tear on my right knee with Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. The past few weeks have been tough for me, as this injury has stopped me from doing what I love the most," Yarraji wrote on Instagram. An ACL tear surgery typically requires at least six months for recovery. This means Yarraji will miss the Tokyo World Championships (September 13-21) and will likely return to action next year. 'However, with the support of my family, friends, the teams at TOPS, afiindia official and rfyouthsports coachjameshillier and all of you, I am taking this in my stride and hoping to be back very soon. The journey to a stronger version of me starts now and I'm going to put in my 100% and more to be back on track soon," she added. Who Is Jyothi Yarraji? Yarraji, also an Asian Games silver medallist, had previously announced this month that she suffered a 'freak" knee injury while training. Her coach, James Hillier, told PTI that the injury was 'pretty bad." Before her injury, she had a high chance of qualifying for the World Championships, although she had not achieved the direct qualification time of 12.73 seconds. Her 12.96-second performance in winning gold at the Asian Championships in May placed her among the athletes who could qualify for the World Championships through the world ranking quota. Athletes can qualify for the World Championships either by direct entry through breaching the qualification mark or through the world ranking quota. The qualification window remains open until August 24. Yarraji returned this season after suffering a hip flexor injury while training in Finland after the 2024 Paris Olympics, which impacted her training stint. At the start of the 2025 season, she adjusted her technique, switching from a seven-stride approach to her original eight-stride approach, believing it would reduce injury risk. She won gold in the 100m hurdles and the 200m race at the Uttarakhand National Games in February, secured the top spot in the 100m hurdles at the Federation Cup, and defended her Asian Championships title. Her last title was at the Taiwan Athletics Open on June 7. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Quant funds reap gains amid volatile market
NEW YORK: From Treasury market reversals to trade threats, the first half of 2025 was dominated by policy upheaval and Wall Street angst. The dollar famously fell, while commodities and risky assets were whipsawed. But inside the markets where the world's biggest quants operate, a funny thing happened: time-honoured trading patterns prevailed. Markets rewarded the strong over the weak, widening the gap between winners and losers amid a return to what AQR Capital Management's Cliff Asness has called 'basic rational investing'. That wide dispersion, as the industry calls it, proved fertile territory for systematic hedge funds, which scored some of the strongest returns so far in 2025. Strong performers included Marshall Wace's TOPS, Renaissance Institutional Equities Fund and AQR Delphi Long-Short Equity, which all climbed about 11%, beating broader hedge-fund performance. Additionally, Voleon Composition, a machine-learning hedge fund, gained 12.8%, while Two Sigma Spectrum was up 7.6%. 'Some companies are doing better than others again,' said Richard Mathieson, managing director at BlackRock, whose equity market neutral fund is up 8% this year. 'So for that process where you're taking a fresh, up-to-date view of every security in the market and building it into a portfolio, the opportunity set is just a lot more compelling.' Systematic stock strategies managed to thrive against a backdrop of rapid-fire market shocks from January through June, a stretch that saw the S&P 500 stage its biggest reversal since 2009 and commodity volatility surge to the highest in three years at one point. Treasuries lurched from their longest winning streak since 2016 in February, before succumbing to the worst weekly drop in 24 years just a little more than a month later. These quants made money not by avoiding the upheavals but by riding a market where stocks started moving more independently. The question now is whether that investing edge will hold as calmer markets and resilient economic data – with last Thursday's jobs report landing stronger than expected – push the S&P 500 to fresh all-time highs. All told, 2025 is extending a renaissance for computer-driven stock traders, following the so-called quant winter – the years leading up to the pandemic when few strategies paid off beyond buy-and-hold bets on Big Tech. While their trades can vary, quants typically spread their bets more widely and slice and dice stocks based on some quantifiable characteristics and historical patterns. That means they're more likely to win in a year like this, with less concentration in mega-caps and different shares dancing to their own beat. For another lens into that, a strategy that bets on US single stocks being more volatile than the overall index has gained 3.5% this year, according to a Premialab index aggregating bank swap products. In terms of commonly used factors – or quant characteristics often used to sort portfolios – momentum, which simply bets on recent winners, was up for a seventh straight quarter, according to a Bloomberg index. That's a sign that for all the market drama, the internal patterns within stocks have been far less fickle. There are some signs that this might be starting to crack, with momentum dropping the most since March this week as investors rotated into laggards. Fading fears of an escalating trade war have revived investor appetite for risk in the past month, fuelling a rotation out of so-called quality and low-risk stocks. 'There are fundamental shocks that are affecting individual securities in different ways,' said Andrea Frazzini, head of global stock selection at AQR. 'Combined with the higher volatility and dispersion we've seen, it really means that we can take more risk, we can get closer to our model, and we have an easier time to implement our views.' In stark contrast were quant trend followers that need sustained momentum to profit. The cohort, which trades futures across assets, saw their worst half-year performance since 2000, dropping 10.1% so far in 2025, a Societe Generale index shows. The Systematica Bluetrend Fund slid 17% and Man AHL Alpha fell about 7.6%, while Transtrend lost 17.5%. (The fund was impacted by positions in less mainstream markets, such as within commodities and currencies, executive director Andre Honig wrote in an email). The rotation out of US stocks – which saw shares outside the nation return about three times the S&P 500 – was also reflected in quant performance. Unlike in previous years, AQR's equity models have been scoring stronger returns outside the United States, Frazzini added. The firm's Adaptive Equity strategy rose 15.5% in the first half, while its Delphi trade, which favours lower-risk companies, benefited from the flight to quality earlier. At Man Numeric, Man Group's quant equity unit, Jayendran Rajamony says other than strength in factors like momentum, it can be hard to generalise performance thanks to the growing use of idiosyncratic signals at each fund. The Man Numeric Quantitative Alpha fund was up 18.7% in the first half. Even with their computer-driven precision, quant programmes may still need occasional human intervention, especially when policy shocks, like tariffs, fall outside the bounds of historic patterns. 'One can argue that some very bold new policy thinking simply cannot be captured,' Rajamony said. 'Intervention as a form of managing risk, I think, is needed to make sure these portfolios navigate an environment like this.' Representatives for Marshall Wace, Renaissance Technologies, Voleon, Two Sigma and Systematica declined to comment. — Bloomberg
