WITH the World Anti-Doping Agency compliance issue finally settled, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) are moving forward to make sure that all bases are covered from hereon.
WADA “signing off and declaring the case closed” last March 13 meant the Philippines could look forward to the Paris Olympics and hope to stay clear of any further complications by strengthening its anti-doping program.
To achieve that, the PSC wants PHI-NADO 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) and the thousands of athletes and coaches under its watch.
“Given the progression of the anti-doping world, a lot of countries have independent anti-doping agencies. This is the proper time we have one in PHI-NADO,” PSC executive director Paulo Tatad said in yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“We are making sure we do the necessary steps. Our friends in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand gave a lot of insights. And given all of that, we are in the right direction,” said Tatad during the forum backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, PLDT/Smart, and ArenaPlus, the 24/7 sports app in the country.
