Fully independent PHI-NADO pushed

MANILA, Philippines — With the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) compliance issue settled and cleared, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) are moving forward and making sure that all bases are covered from hereon.

The WADA “signing off and declaring the case closed” last March 13 meant the Philippines can 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,” said PSC executive director Paulo Tatad in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.