Japan signs agreement to continue RADO funding

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and government of Japan signed an agreement on Tuesday that continues Japanese funding for Regional Anti-Doping Organizations (RADOs) in Asia.

The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT) and announced at a press conference in Tokyo.

The funding will continue to assist RADOs with the development of anti-doping programs, and provide funds for WADA to help with the training of anti-doping officials in each region.

“Japan has supported WADA’s international activities since its establishment,” said Mr. Tenzo Okumura, Minister in charge of Sports at MEXT.

“Especially, we have been encouraging Asian governments to ratify the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport, and to promote compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and its implementation.

“In addition, Japan has provided assistance to Asian RADOs in cooperation with WADA since 2008. It is very significant that we sign today the partnership agreement for the assistance to RADOs to strengthen our cooperation.”

There are five RADOs in Asia working across 36 countries, with particular emphasis on compliance to the World Anti-Doping Code.

“This program has been in place for the past two years and we are thankful to the Japanese Government for extending it for another year” said WADA Director General David Howman.

The RADO program brings together countries with similar geographical interests, and helps develop Code-compliant programs that encompass testing, education and general awareness of anti-doping issues.

The concept of sharing resources through RADOs has decreased the individual responsibility of smaller countries and National Olympic Committees (NOCs).