KADA partnership to strengthen our region
Sport Integrity Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA) to enhance the integrity capabilities within the Asia and Oceania region.
Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe said such collaborations were “mutually beneficial” and helped the agency identify and adopt best practice around the world.
“This MoU solidifies the strong ties that already exist between our two organisations,” Mr Sharpe said.
“We share a common ambition in protecting the integrity of sport and I appreciate the positive engagement we have had so far to date.”
Mr Sharpe said both agencies shared a commitment to continuous improvement, to strengthen our own programs and fill the gaps in the region.
“Sport Integrity Australia seeks to learn from our international colleagues and to help build capacity in regions where it is needed to strengthen the global integrity framework, doing so helps build better environments for our Australian athletes competing overseas.
“The protection of our athletes is at the heart of our responsibilities, and I would like to thank KADA for strengthening this commitment today, by working towards this objective together.”
KADA president Dr. Young Hee Lee commended the long history of collaboration on anti-doping programs and capacity building in the Asia and Oceania region.
“Over the years KADA has developed in many sectors, such as education, testing, investigation, and science. Sport Integrity Australia has always been a fantastic partner,” Dr Lee said.
“On behalf of KADA, I want to celebrate that the two leading NADOs in Asia and Oceania actively engage in anti-doping activities following the World Anti-Doping Code and International standards and join hands to develop anti-doping programs for each organisation.”
In the past, the two agencies have worked together to share knowledge and experience in a number of fields, including:
- Education
- Intelligence
- Investigations
- Sport operations
- Science, and:
- Testing functions
Mr Sharpe said the MoU would reduce global duplication of effort in anti-doping education.
Importantly, Sport Integrity Australia and KADA have also joined Drug Free Sport New Zealand and the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory to work together as an Athlete Passport Management Unit.