Dubai: Dubai Police, in cooperation with the National Anti-Doping Agency and Dubai Sports Council, organised the Anti-Doping in Sport Forum under the theme “Protecting Sport, Protecting Society”, bringing together experts and specialists to raise awareness of the risks of doping and its negative impact on athletes and the wider sports sector.

Held at the Dubai Police Officers Club, the forum was attended by Major General Badran Al Shamsi, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Academy and Training Affairs at Dubai Police; Dr Mai Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Chairperson of the National Anti-Doping Agency; Brigadier Ahmad Mohammad Merdas, Director of the General Department of Training; Brigadier Dr Jassim Mohammad Abdullah, Deputy Director of the General Department of Training; Brigadier Hassan Nasser Al Razooqi, Director of the Administrative Affairs Department; Dr Rafeea Al Owais, Vice Chairperson of the National Anti-Doping Agency; Colonel Abdullah Sabaa, Board Member; Abdullah Shahdad, Board Member and Director of Hamdan Sports Complex; as well as officers and representatives of sports, health and medical organisations.

Protecting Athletes Is a Shared Responsibility

Delivering Dubai Police’s address at the forum, Major General Al Shamsi said the gathering reflects a shared responsibility to protect athletes’ health and futures, preserve the integrity of competition and reinforce the values of integrity, transparency and fairness.

“The forum embodies our shared responsibility to protect athletes’ health and future, safeguard the integrity of competitions, and reinforce the values of integrity, transparency and fairness,” he said.

Major General Al Shamsi noted that sport is an influential global sector and an integrated ecosystem in which health, social, security, legislative and ethical considerations intersect.

He stressed that combating doping therefore requires proactive action through greater knowledge and preventive awareness, as well as a strong culture that enables athletes to better understand what enters their bodies and recognise their responsibility towards themselves, their teams, their communities and their sport.

Prevention Starts with Awareness

Major General Al Shamsi said Dubai Police considers prevention a fundamental pillar of comprehensive security and believes that protecting society begins with awareness.

He explained that Dubai Police’s focus on combating doping is an extension of its community and preventive responsibilities and its commitment to protecting young people and athletes in cooperation with specialised partners.

“Our gathering today with experts, specialists, officials, researchers and representatives of sports, health, security and academic institutions from the UAE and abroad provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and best practices and open professional dialogue that can lead to shared recommendations and solutions,” he said.

Major General Al Shamsi thanked the National Anti-Doping Agency and Dubai Sports Council for their pivotal role in supporting the forum and expressed hope that it would produce a shared vision and practical steps to strengthen the protection of sport and society.

Clean Sport Enters a New Phase in 2027

Dr Mai Al Jaber thanked Dubai Police and Dubai Sports Council for organising the forum and bringing together specialists and experts in anti-doping and sports integrity.

She said 2027 represents an important milestone in the development of the clean sport system, explaining that the upcoming updates go beyond amendments to rules and procedures and reflect continuing developments in scientific, technological and legal approaches to anti-doping.

Dr Al Jaber said the UAE recognises that developing sport is not limited to building facilities, hosting championships and achieving sporting success. It also requires an environment built on integrity, transparency, fairness and equal opportunity.

The UAE has therefore developed its anti-doping system in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and international standards.

The National Anti-Doping Agency plays a central role through testing, results management, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, education and awareness, technical capacity development and cooperation with sports and government organisations.

From More Tests to Smarter Tests

Dr Al Jaber said anti-doping today extends far beyond collecting and analysing samples.

It has developed into an integrated system encompassing prevention, education, risk management, intelligence gathering, investigations, smart testing, scientific and technological development, and the protection of athletes’ rights.

“One of the most significant transformations we are witnessing is the move away from focusing on the number of tests towards their quality and targeting based on intelligence and risk,” she said.

“The question is no longer simply how many samples we have collected, but whether we are conducting the right tests on the right athletes.”

She highlighted the importance of data analysis, information sharing, risk assessment and cooperation between anti doping organisations, sports federations and other relevant bodies, while protecting athletes’ data and rights.

New Scientific Challenges

The forum also explored scientific developments including the expanded use of the Athlete Biological Passport and advances in sample collection, including dried blood spot testing.

Dr Al Jaber highlighted emerging challenges associated with new substances and methods used to enhance performance, as well as the widespread use of dietary supplements.

She said the next phase will require continued investment in scientific and technical expertise, information systems, investigations, technology and risk based testing.

Education Before Enforcement

Dr Al Jaber stressed that education and prevention are essential to an effective anti-doping system.

“We do not simply want athletes to know which substances are prohibited. We want them to be able to make the right decision when using medication or a dietary supplement, or when facing a medical condition that requires the use of a prohibited substance,” she said.

She stressed that this responsibility extends beyond athletes to coaches, doctors, pharmacists, technical and administrative teams, clubs, federations and families, particularly when dealing with young athletes.

She added that the real challenge in 2027 will be translating changes to the Code and international standards into effective practice by updating procedures, training personnel, developing educational programmes, strengthening intelligence and investigation capabilities and protecting athletes’ rights.

Strong Achievements, Fair Competition

Dr Al Jaber stressed that the objective of anti-doping is not simply to punish athletes.

“The purpose of anti-doping is to protect athletes’ health, protect their right to fair competition and safeguard the integrity of sport,” she said.

“As the 2027 system comes into effect, our responsibility is to keep pace with these developments and continue building a national system capable of addressing future challenges.”

She added that clean sport is a shared responsibility extending from athletes to coaches, doctors, clubs, federations and national and international organisations.

“Our message will remain clear. We want sport that is strong in its achievements and fair in its competition.”

Scientific and Legal Expertise

Dr Veronika Loginova, Director General of Anti-Doping, delivered a session examining scientific and medical developments in anti-doping, including peptides and emerging substances used in sport, athletes’ rights and responsibilities, international experiences and best practices.

Dr Valeria Grimen, Head of Results Management at the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, delivered a session covering the legal and disciplinary aspects of anti-doping and Therapeutic Use Exemptions.

11 Companies Join Awareness Exhibition

Participants also visited an accompanying awareness exhibition featuring 11 medical, health and sports companies.

The exhibition primarily targeted young people, athletes and male and female members of clubs and sports centres across Dubai, helping awareness programmes and messages reach a wider section of the community.

At the conclusion of the forum, Brigadier Ahmad Merdas, Director of the General Department of Training, honoured Dubai Police’s partners in organising the event, including the National Anti-Doping Agency and Dubai Sports Council, as well as the speakers and companies participating in the accompanying awareness exhibition.