This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 14, 2020, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) celebrated a successful three-year partnership between the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) and the Ethiopian National Anti-Doping Organization (ETH-NADO).
Under the partnership, facilitated and monitored by Wada, SAIDS provided support, guidance, and expertise to ETH-NADO to enhance its anti-doping capacity.
According to Wada, the partnership has led to improvements in ETH-NADO's organization and structure, as well as its doping control programs, including urine and blood testing.
Progress has also been made in intelligence and investigations, including whistle-blower provisions, and education and information for athletes have been deemed to have improved, along with results management.
Wada's partnership program is crucial to strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) worldwide by fostering cooperation, collaboration, and trust between nations.
"It provides the opportunity to share knowledge and experience. Moreover, it brings NADOs together in one team, working together with the common aim of protecting clean sport," said Mekonnen Yidersal, ETH-NADO chief executive.
Yidersal expressed gratitude to SAIDS and WADA for their invaluable input and guidance, stating, "This partnership has been extremely beneficial to anti-doping in Ethiopia."
The partnership has also been beneficial for SAIDS, enabling the organization to up-skill its staff and identify areas for program development.
Wada noted that ETH-NADO has now committed to helping other developing NADOs, having been mentored by SAIDS.
