With the aim to shape the future of sports science education and research in India, KCLAS - Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science’s School of Sports Science is organizing a two-day National Conference on Sports Science (NCSS 2.0).

It was inaugurated on Monday by Chief Guest Dr. Wayne Lombard, Founder, APA Training Systems, South Africa in the presence of Shankar Vanavarayar, President of Kumaraguru Institutions and Vijila Edwin Kennedy, Principal of KCLAS.

Over 15 expert speakers are addressing the numerous participants from across India in this program.
Addressing the gathering, Shankar Vanavarayar emphasized that India, being the world’s most populous nation with the highest number of young people, must prioritize per capita health alongside economic growth.

Reflecting on global trends, he highlighted how leading nations have consistently prioritized physical fitness and well-being, reinforcing the need for India to integrate sports science into national policy. With advancements in technology, nutrition, physiotherapy, and sports analytics, the sector is no longer a vertical but a thriving horizontal industry with immense potential.

The chief guest Dr. Wayne Lombard emphasized the pivotal role of sports science in shaping the future of athletic performance and resilience, offering valuable insights from his extensive experience working with elite athletes across the globe.

Dr. Lombard recounted the exhilarating moments of witnessing athletes achieve their lifelong dreams at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. However, he also acknowledged the challenges, such as career-threatening injuries that require immense mental and physical resilience. He described the emotional toll that setbacks take not only on athletes but also on the support staff, who bear the weight of expectations from coaches, sponsors, and the media.

Reflecting on the evolution of sports science, he noted the shift from traditional fitness-based approaches to a more integrated and technology-driven methodology. High-performance institutes today serve as comprehensive support systems, utilizing tools such as GPS trackers, force plates, and wearable sensors to optimize training and recovery. He predicted that artificial intelligence and machine learning will further revolutionize sports science, allowing for predictive analytics in injury prevention and real-time training adjustments.

Despite these advancements, Dr. Lombard emphasized that technology can never replace the human connection in coaching and athlete development. The art of understanding motivation, behavior, and mental resilience will always be at the core of sports performance.