The ITA and SEARADO join forces to advance anti-doping cooperation across Southeast Asia

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the ITA and SEARADO, including the coordination of testing activities, intelligence and information sharing, education initiatives, and broader cooperation in support of anti-doping programs across the region.

SEARADO was established by National Olympic Committees and government representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, and is recognised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for the protection of clean sport in Southeast Asia through the harmonisation and coordination of anti-doping programs in the region.

Through the MoU, the ITA and SEARADO will work together to coordinate testing efforts, exchange expertise and operational know-how, and foster closer cooperation in areas such as intelligence-led testing (including Athlete Biological Passport coordination), education, and broader anti-doping operational coordination.

Benjamin Cohen, Director General of the ITA, said: “Southeast Asia is home to a vibrant and growing sporting landscape, with increasing international engagement and an important role in the global anti-doping community. We are therefore very pleased to establish this collaboration with SEARADO and its member organisations. Strong regional cooperation and trusted partnerships are essential to further strengthening anti-doping efforts and ensuring that organisations can benefit from shared expertise, operational coordination and the exchange of information and best practices. We look forward to working closely with SEARADO and its members in support of clean sport across the region.”

Mr Gatot S. Dewa Broto, Chairman of SEARADO, said: “SEARADO member countries have established a strong foundation in anti-doping, and a collaboration with a key stakeholder like the ITA is a natural progression to further strengthen anti-doping programs and enhance clean sport in the region. This Memorandum of Understanding reflects the support of the SEARADO member organisations and represents an important step towards greater collaboration, information sharing and operational cooperation across Southeast Asia and beyond.”

The ITA strongly believes that the anti-doping community can further strengthen the global fight for clean sport through close partnerships, operational cooperation and the sharing of expertise across organisations and regions. SEARADO joins a growing network of 40 National and Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs and RADOs) worldwide that have established collaboration agreements with the ITA. The ITA welcomes opportunities to continue expanding this network and fostering further cooperation across the anti-doping community.