Doha: The Qatar Anti-Doping Commission (QADC) has outlined its strategic framework and roles in organizing and overseeing major sporting events. This announcement was made during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of QADC's establishment and the inauguration of its new headquarters in Doha. The event saw the presence of HE World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Banka, along with dignitaries, sports officials, and media representatives from Qatar and abroad.
According to Qatar News Agency, the occasion was part of QADC's commemoration of its institutional transformation journey, which began with its founding in 2005 and will culminate in 2025 with its official accreditation as an independent national agency. QADC now operates with a mandate to promote a clean sporting environment through robust testing programs, education and awareness initiatives, and strict adherence to international standards.
The ceremony featured orientation sessions on QADC's strategy for 2023-2027 and highlighted its achievements over the past two decades, including its role in organizing and overseeing major tournaments such as the 15th Asian Games - Doha 2006, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and other regional and international sporting events.
In a move underscoring Qatar's commitment to supporting the clean sport system globally, WADA announced during the event that it received an additional financial contribution valued at USD 1.5 million from the Qatari government to support scientific research. This funding aims to strengthen research within the WADA-accredited Anti-Doping Lab Qatar (ADLQ) in Doha and finance global research projects, as well as expand the scope of the ADLQ's annual symposium.
The initiative highlights the close coordination between QADC and WADA, reflecting their joint commitment to promoting integrity in sport through innovation and international collaboration. QADC also unveiled new initiatives, including the launch of the national awareness slogan 'Play Pure', the introduction of the National Educational Toolkit, and interactive content for individuals with visual impairments, developed with the Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind.
Additionally, QADC's annual report for 2024 was released, revealing that it had exceeded operational targets by conducting 2,269 doping control tests and organizing 4,000 awareness activities. The commission also secured five international ISO certifications across multiple disciplines.