India marked another key milestone in international sports integrity efforts by hosting the second edition of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Intelligence & Investigations (I&I) Workshop from July 21–25, 2025.
Orchestrated by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India and supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the event convened experts from National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) and law enforcement bodies across South Asia and Oceania.
Held under WADA’s flagship Capability and Capacity Building Project, this edition featured participation from representatives of India, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines. The workshop, delivered in partnership with INTERPOL and Sport Integrity Australia, served as a collaborative platform to share intelligence practices and reinforce investigative acumen globally.
In a series of hands-on sessions, attendees explored crucial aspects of anti-doping enforcement—ranging from managing confidential sources and open-source intelligence to strategic interviewing and analysis techniques. The emphasis lay on intelligence-led cooperation to protect athletes and uphold the spirit of clean sport.
Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), applauded the initiative, stating, “This collaboration represents India’s strong commitment to clean sport and global solidarity.” Shri Anant Kumar, DG, NADA, added, “Hosting delegates from 10 nations is a testament to India’s leadership in advancing WADA’s I&I network.”
WADA’s I&I Director Günter Younger commended India’s continued contributions and stressed the importance of such workshops in enhancing communication between NADOs and law enforcement. “These sessions play a pivotal role in fostering fair competition worldwide,” he noted.
The event concluded with plans for a final edition in April 2026, cementing India’s central role in shaping the anti-doping ecosystem across Asia and Oceania.
