Islamabad, Oct 29: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has reportedly put Pakistan’s National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) on its “watch list” for violating the International Standard for Code Compliance, further clouding the country’s athletic landscape.
What is WADA’s Anti-Doping Code:
Harmonizing anti-doping policies, guidelines, and practices across public and sporting organizations is the goal of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Code). Eight international standards complement the Code, and WADA is in charge of ensuring that the Code is accepted, followed, and adhered to.
In summary, all affiliated bodies must adhere to the governing SOPs, which were updated in 2021.
Pakistan has four months to address these unresolved issues, according to WADA. NADO may be subject to disciplinary action from the regulatory body if it does not make the required modifications within the allotted period.
Possible Sanctions:
World Anti-Doping Agency Pakistan’s athletes risk exclusion from all recognized contests, including the Olympics and related sports, if the issues mentioned are not addressed promptly. Since there are already very few options for local athletes, NADO cannot afford to take its time changing its direction.
Pakistan would be well advised to take note of the examples set by North Korea, El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Sierra Leone, the Virgin Islands (U.S.), and Brazil.
