Saudi Arabia has made an additional $100,000 commitment to the global fight against doping in sport, it has been announced.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said it welcomed the new funding which is additional to Saudi Arabia’s 2016 annual contribution of $43,806.
“WADA is very appreciative to Saudi Arabia for its commitment to provide additional funding that will support WADA in tackling its key priorities for the months and years ahead,” said WADA president, Sir Craig Reedie.
“During the recent Arab Anti-Doping Symposium in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognized that for the Agency, and the broader anti-doping movement, to be strengthened in its role, greater funding is essential; and, as a result, the country has committed to invest a further $100,000 to strengthen the fight for clean sport,” Reedie added.
Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz, chairman of Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, said: “Saudi Arabia has always been a strong proponent of clean sport; and, recognises that everyone has a role to play.
“I hope that this contribution will assist WADA in focussing its energies on those areas that it has highlighted as crucial in protecting the rights of clean athletes worldwide,” he added.
The two-day Symposium that brought together states in the Arab region resulted in a series of recommendations and resolutions to ensure Arab states foster greater collaboration to protect the clean athlete, and enhance the quality of their anti-doping programs.
Saudi Arabia also committed to assisting less developed nations to ensure a level playing field across all sports and all countries. Furthermore, it was also announced at the Symposium that Saudi Arabia was committing an additional $50,000 to the UNESCO Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport.
Saudi Arabia also contributed $500,000 to the Special Anti-Doping Research Fund from 2014-2016.
WADA has an annual budget of approximately $30 million.
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