The Samoa Minister of Sports and Recreation (MSR) will be co-facilitating the annual World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Oceania Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport (OMMADS) later this month in Apia.
The confirmation was announced in a Press Release from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation reiterating the meeting to take place on 29th October 2024 at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.
The meeting will bring to Samoa 19 Oceania countries to discuss major issues of anti-doping experienced in sport and a way forward to continue the fight against doping in world sports.
This means a clean sport drive including countries committing to ‘implementation effective anti-doping programs and policies’.
Attending the meeting are Ministers and senior officials including Director General of WADA, Olivier Niggli.
Minister of Sports and Recreation of the Government of Samoa Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell together with the President of WADA Witold Bańka will be the co-facilitators.
According to the release from the Ministry, “The OMMADS aims to strengthen regional collaboration in the fight against doping, promote clean sport, and protect the health and well-being of athletes. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, best practices, and discuss challenges faced in their respective countries.”
This international independent agency was established in 1999 and is made up and financially supported by the sport movement and governments of the world.
The agency’s key activities according to WADA’s website involve “scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) that coordinates anti-doping policies” in different sports and countries.
