PSC, PHI-NADO hope to strengthen anti-doping program in PH

AS the issue of the Philippines with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been finally resolved, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) hope to solidify the program in dope testing for national athletes for international competitions.

In a decision dated March 13, WADA has declared the doping issue in the Philippines as case closed, which will allow the country to carry the flag in this year’s Paris Olympics, as well as other international tournaments moving forward.

The goal now for PHI-NADO is to have a solid anti-doping program.

PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann cited Malacañang’s “total support” in the bid to create an independent PHI-NADO that can fully cater to the high demands of Filipino athletes and become fully compliant with the WADA code, with members of the Senate and Lower House supporting the cause.

“Given the progression of the anti-doping world, a lot of the countries have independent antidoping agencies,” said PSC executive director Paulo Tadad in the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“We are making sure we do the necessary steps. Our friends in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand gave a lot of insights. Given all of that, we are in the right direction,” Tatad added at the same forum.

Although the sports agency is supporting PHI-NADO, the PSC wants the local anti-doping office to become a fully independent body as practiced by other countries, and continue to educate all the stakeholders, including the various national sports associations (NSAs), as well as thousands of athletes and coaches under the program.

PHI-NADO chief Dr. Alex Pineda and testing operations head Nathan Vasquez were also present at the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., PLDT/Smart, Milo, the PSC, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and ArenaPlus.

“The threat that came with WADA noncompliance meant that starting last February 22 we would not have been allowed to host international sporting events like the FIBA qualifiers (among others) and that if a Filipino wins in international competitions, the Philippine flag cannot fly,” said Pineda.

“Of course, [it affects] our national pride,” he said.

The PHI-NADO chief said settling the noncompliance issue “is just the first step” and that more actions need to be taken.

“We are being monitored by WADA not on testing alone but on anti-doping education as well, capacity building, management of results and data privacy,” he said.

“We need to work with PSC, the POC, and the NSAs. We need collaboration,” Pineda added.

As part of the compliance, PHINADO must communicate daily with the NSAs and the athletes and coaches, and keep reminding them of their responsibilities as far as anti-doping is concerned.

“The job is not yet done. It has a lot to do with testing, education and other aspects of doping,” said Vasquez.