The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) remains optimistic about resolving the ongoing dispute with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in the near future.
PSC Chair Richard Bachmann, alongside Executive Director Paulo Tatad and Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (Phi-Nado) Officer Nathan Vasquez, has reiterated the country’s commitment to meeting all requirements.
“We are working with Malacañang with the legislative requirements of WADA. The help of Malacanang is greatly appreciated,” Bachmann said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC and Philippine Olympic Committee.
Addressing concerns raised regarding compliance with the agency’s code, he has advocated for empowering Phi-Nado to function as a fully independent and operational entity capable of effectively serving the needs of the nation’s numerous athletes.
The dispute with WADA emerged following notifications from the agency regarding alleged failures to adhere to their code.
Among these non-conformities are the absence of a developed and implemented Test Distribution Plan, incomplete inclusion of all Registered Testing Pool (RTP) athletes with an Erythropoietin (EPO) Minimum Level of Analysis (MLA) of 30 percent or greater in their Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), failure to share and maintain an updated list of RTP athletes through the agency’s management system, and delays in the prosecution of doping cases.
In response to this, the Philippines has lodged an appeal, leading to the escalation of the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for further deliberation.
Efforts are underway to address the concerns raised before their representatives visit the country next month. The PSC, Phi-Nado, and all relevant stakeholders are collaboratively working to ensure that all issues are comprehensively resolved in a timely manner.
The swift resolution of the dispute with WADA is imperative not only for upholding the integrity of Philippine sports but also for safeguarding the welfare and reputation of the country’s athletes on the global stage.
The PSC remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of anti-doping compliance and promoting fair play in sports.
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