The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce that it has renewed its long-standing funding agreement with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA). Through the agreement, SIA will provide AUD 200,000 (approximately USD 135,000) over the next two years to support the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organization (ORADO). This amount is additional to Australia’s annual contribution to WADA of USD 546,097.  

The Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Sport, said: “Australia is proud to support ORADO in its efforts to ensure clean, fair competition across the Oceania region. Over the past 15 years, Australia has contributed over USD 810,000 to support ORADO, reinforcing our commitment to integrity in sport. This investment is about building a sporting culture that champions fairness, and a level playing field for athletes in our region.” 

The renewed funding agreement focuses on the following areas: 

1. Educational and capacity building activities 
2. Delivery of the Doping Control Program 
3. ORADO Governance and Organizational Development 

Chief Executive of ORADO, Alister Stevic, said: “The ORADO is grateful for the ongoing support of SIA, the Australian government, and WADA. This funding contributes to our ability to deliver programs to our 17 member countries regarding the benefits of doping-free sport, the requirements of the UNESCO Convention, and the World Anti-Doping Code, and also supports us in assisting with their testing and training of sample collection personnel.” 

WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, said: “WADA appreciates the support that Sport Integrity Australia and the Australian government continue to deliver to the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organization to help strengthen anti-doping in the region. This funding agreement is a great example of how WADA’s Regional Anti-Doping Organization Program facilitates connections between more robust Anti-Doping Organizations and those that require more support. Our hope is that other well-established Anti-Doping Organizations around the globe look to this as an example and are similarly compelled to take on leadership roles in their regions.”  

About the RADO Program 

The RADO Program, which WADA first created in 2004, supports the development of anti-doping programs in RADO member countries through a regional and collaborative approach and currently assists 12 RADOs and 119 countries across the world.