By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) aims to strengthen its program and is looking forward to becoming a fully independent body in the near future.
Now that the compliance issue with the World Anti-Doping Agency has already been settled and cleared, Philippine Sports Commission Executive Director Paul Tatad said it’s high time that the country’s anti-doping organization be recognized as a separate entity.
And to be more effective, PHI-NADO needs more funding so it can reach out to various stakeholders and national sports associations and educate their athletes and coaches about their anti-doping program.
“Given the progression and evolution of anti-doping in the global sporting world, a lot of countries right now have independent anti-doping agencies, di ba?” said Tatad during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“Not only Philippines, even some countries in the South East Asian region are catching up, it is proper na let’s say the Philippines or Phinado has its own independent doping agency,” added Tatad, who was accompanied by PHI-NADO head Dr. Alejandro Pineda and testing operations head Nathan Michael Vasquez in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and ArenaPlus, the 24/7 sports app in the country.
Also gracing the forum was PSC chairman Richard Bachmann.
Bachmann cited Malacanang’s “total support” in the bid to create an independent PHI-NADO that can fully cater to the high demands of the national athletes and become fully compliant with the WADA code. Lending a hand with this cause are members of the Senate and Lower House.
“The threat that came with WADA non- compliance meant that starting last Feb. 22 we would not have been allowed to host international sporting events like FIBA qualifiers (among others) and that if a Filipino wins in international competitions, the Philippine flag cannot fly. Of course, (it affects) our national pride,” said Pineda.
The PHI-NADO chief said settling the non-compliance issue “is just the first step,” and that more actions need to be taken.
