By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) said it has been taking necessary measures in relation to the compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code to avoid possible future sanctions including a ban from competing in major events such as the Olympics.
In a statement released on Friday, Jan. 26, the government sports agency said “a series of activities… was conducted by PHI-NADO (Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization) from September to December of last year, prior to the extended deadline set by WADA last January 22nd.”
“After receiving evaluations from WADA, certain revisions relating to critical requirements of the Code are now being worked upon. PHI-NADO has reported that we are nearing closure for these requirements within a 21-day period,” the statement read.
On Friday, there was a report that the country is at risk of the flag not being flown in major regional and continental sports events unless the PSC complies with the WADA Code.
This is in relation to a case from 2016 where a Filipino athlete yielded a positive anti-doping result but was not notified by the PSC or PHI-NADO.
In fact, a meeting was held last Thursday, Jan. 25 by WADA represented by Ying Cui, Manager for RADO/NADO Relations and Mr. Perumal Saravana, Manager of Asia Oceania Office, and SEARADO Director General Gobinathan Nair, along with PSC and POC officials.
Also present in the meeting were PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann and Executive Director Paulo Francisco Tatad, PHI-NADO Head Dr. Alejandro Pineda Jr. and POC Secretary General Atty. Wharton Chan.
The meeting addressed the pending concerns and revisions raised by WADA to ensure complete compliance at the earliest possible time.
It also happened two days after WADA made the warning in a notification to the PSC, which was dated on Tuesday, Jan. 23, that stressed its non-compliance of the WADA Code.
The PSC was notified through the PHI-NADO in September last year to comply with the WADA Code within four months with the deadline expiring last Monday.
“Should the outstanding non-conformities not be solved by 22 January 2024, the Philippines Sports Commission would be automatically alleged as non-compliant by WADA’s Executive Committee,” said the notice, which was signed by WADA Director General Olivier Niggli.
PSC, however, assured that these possible sanctions are avoidable as it has been in constructive dialogue with WADA and has been working collectively to address any remaining concerns.
“We appreciate the understanding of the public and the global sports community as we navigate through this process. The PSC remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship and ethical conduct to our national athletes and coaches,” the statement read.
