The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is set to adopt an Anti-Doping Policy for all competitions starting next season in line with the policy of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
The initiative aims to safeguard the physical health and mental integrity of players, uphold and preserve the ethics of sport, and to ensure fair play among competitors.
The federation’s core anti-doping strategy will focus on prevention through education beginning with the youth and academy level players all the way up to the senior level.
The Anti-Doping Policy contains the set of protocols in accordance with the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations 2021 which is in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) World Anti-Doping Code.
Spearheading the newly-formed PFF Anti-Doping Unit is Dr. Randolph Molo who will serve as chairperson with Dr. Emily Zerrudo and Dr. Bernadett Velasco as members. Molo, an AFC accredited medical officer, also serves as PFF Sports Medical Committee vice chairperson.
“The creation of the unit underscores the federation’s commitment to keep the sport free from doping and to keep the integrity of the game,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. “We thank FIFA and AFC for their support to its member associations in adopting the Anti-Doping Regulations.”
PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes said the policy will be enforced beginning with the 2021 season of the Philippines Football League.
“We hope the clubs, players and stakeholders in the country will support the Anti-Doping Policy which will be in place beginning with the Philippines Football League season 2021,” added Gastanes.
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