A government sub-decree has established the Cambodia Anti-Doping Agency (CADA), in order to combat the use of internationally banned substances and ensure that the Kingdom’s sporting competitions are clean and free from drug cheats, in line with international standards.

Prime Minister Hun Manet signed the March 15 sub-decree, at the request of Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron, in order to set regulations and legal documents which will allow the Kingdom to participate fully in international conventions against doping in sports.

The CADA is composed of a board chaired by the education minister, with two vice-chairs from the interior and education ministries. Two additional members are drawn from the health and justice ministries.

As per the sub-decree, the CADA will formulate policies, strategic plans and regulations related to anti-doping in sports. It will also approve anti-doping regulations in sports and conduct research into banned substances and methodologies for their use, and publicise these efforts.

In addition, the agency will encourage the relevant state institutions, the private sector, collaborative partners and NGOs to participate in anti-doping in sports, including through monitoring and evaluating the implementation of anti-doping regulations.

Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), believes that the agency will be an important mechanism towards building clean sports in the Kingdom.

He noted that similar mechanisms have received acclaim from the international sporting community and will strengthen the quality of Cambodian sports, which prevents any athlete from touching any prohibited substance.

“The term doping agent refers to a substance that is prohibited because it provides an artificial performance advantage, which is contrary to the rules of sport. They are banned worldwide by anti-doping agencies, including in Cambodia, in accordance with international conventions,” he said.

“We established CADA to strengthen the cleanliness of sports and fair play without the use of illegal substances. Doping affects the ethics and fairness of sports,” he added.

Chamroeun explained that in the past, there have been several high-profile cases where many athletes have been suspended and even banned from competition for doping, but noted that Cambodia has no history of producing drug cheats.

He said the establishment of the agency comes at a time when Cambodian athletes are more capable and engaged in the international arena than ever, so CADA will contribute to guaranteeing the high standard of Cambodian sporting efforts.

Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, believes that a dedicated anti-doping agency is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of Cambodian athletes, as well as to meet the standards and requirements of international competitions.

“CADA’s work will contribute to raising the standards of our athletes at both the domestic and international levels,” he said.