PSC working on WADA Code

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines faces the risk of being barred from competing at the Paris Olympics and the Paralympic Games and in all regional and continental meets, including the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games and the world championships, unless the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) complies with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Compounding the potential woes will also be a ban on the country hosting regional, continental and world championships.

The WADA made the warning in a notification to the PSC dated Jan. 23, 2024 that stressed its non-compliance of the WADA Code and prompted the government sports body to address outstanding non-conformities identified in the WADA Code Compliance Questionnaire.

The PSC said it was aware of the situation.

“We understand the concerns raised, and we would like to address these matters with utmost transparency and accountability.

“We acknowledge the importance of adhering to the WADA Code and upholding the principles of fair play and integrity in sports. In response to the aforementioned allegations, we would like to clarify that the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO), under the auspices of the PSC, has taken prompt and decisive actions to rectify any potential matters related to non-compliance with the WADA Code.

“Certain revisions relating to critical requirements of the Code, are now being worked upon,” the PSC said.