The ITA and SAADC establish collaboration agreement to support anti-doping activities and clean sport development

The agreement establishes a framework for operational collaboration between the two organisations across a range of anti-doping activities, including testing coordination, intelligence and information sharing, sample collection, education initiatives, and broader capacity-building efforts.

Under the agreement, the ITA and SAADC will work together to coordinate testing activities for athletes who fall under both organisations’ testing jurisdictions as well as during major international sporting events taking placing in Saudi Arabia.

Both organisations are committed to improving the allocation of anti-doping resources and facilitate the exchange of expertise and operational know-how in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The collaboration also foresees opportunities for cooperation in areas such as intelligence and investigations, results management, education programs, digital anti-doping solutions including PASS and ComPASS, and the development of Doping Control Officer expertise through ITA’s Foundation and International Doping Control Officer (IDCO) training programs.

Benjamin Cohen, Director General of the ITA, said: “Saudi Arabia has become a major actor in the international sporting landscape, with more and more international events taking place in the country across a wide range of sports. In this context, strong local cooperation and trusted operational relationships for clean sport are increasingly important. We are therefore very pleased to establish this collaboration with SAADC. By combining expertise, operational coordination and knowledge exchange, we can continue supporting the delivery of robust anti-doping programs aligned with the highest international standards while contributing to the long-term development of clean sport in Saudi Arabia and globally.”

Dr. Ahmad Saleh Bin Nasser, Chairman of SAADC, said: “We are pleased to formalize this partnership with the ITA as Saudi Arabia continues to host major international sporting events. This agreement strengthens our anti-doping framework across testing, intelligence, education, and workforce development, in full alignment with the World Anti-Doping Code. SAADC is honored to join the ITA’s global network of nearly 40 NADOs and RADOs, and we remain committed to working alongside all our international partners in the collective mission to protect clean sport.”

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. SAADC joins a growing network of nearly 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.