POA, PSB agree to strengthen role of ADOP

ISLAMABAD: Stakeholders and the custodians of sports in Pakistan have agreed to strengthen the role of Anti-Doping Organisation of Pakistan (ADOP) to ensure trouble-free future in special connection with the 14th South Asian Games that the country will host in 2023.

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Col (r) Asif Zaman called on Mohammad Khalid Mehmood, secretary Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in Lahore Friday to discuss the possibilities of making the ADOP stronger and authoritative.

The POA secretary stressed the need of providing all the necessary facilities and required base to the ADOP for a better and authoritative working.

“Yes, the government of Pakistan is a signatory to IOC-UNO pact according to which it has agreed to provide all the required facilities to the national anti-doping authority so that it can play an effective role in checking the menace of performance-enhancing drugs and inculcating the knowledge of disastrous effects it has for athletes pursuing different sports. No one can deny or avoid it that it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to extend all the possible help to the ADOP. The government is a signatory and as such, it is pertinent on the Ministry for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the PSB to facilitate the ADOP in all respects so that it can perform its duty under the laid down rules and without any outside interference,” the POA secretary told Asif Zaman.

Asif, however, expressed his satisfaction with the POA’s role in promoting sports in the country and offered full cooperation to the National Olympic Committee.

“The DG PSB admitted that sports could only flourish in the country if the POA and PSB join hands and work together. He offered full cooperation to the POA for promotion of sports in the country,” the POA secretary said.

‘The News’ has learnt that Dr Waqar’s name has already been recommended and approved by the WADA authorities to head the national anti-doping organisation in Pakistan for the next term in office. Dr Waqar will continue to head the ADOP till late 2024.

“Definitely the ADOP requires a complete setup as within the next two years Pakistan is to host important international events including the 14th edition of the South Asian Games,” the POA secretary said.

Just recently three athletes belonging to the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) were tested positive and were banned for using performance-enhancing drugs during the 13th SA Games held in Nepal. The anti-sports act of athletes brought a bad name to the country.

“To keep a check on athletes, there is a requirement for tougher measures. It is mandatory for us all to extend full cooperation to ADOP for establishing stronger base,” the POA secretary said.

Surprisingly, the PSB DG did not utter a word on hosting the organisational matters of the 14th South Asian Games. “Games hosting never came under discussion.”

The role of media was definitely discussed in the meeting. However, it is not clear which part of media coverage was discussed in the meeting.