WADA continues Intelligence & Investigations Capability and Capacity Building Project with second workshop in Asia and Oceania

This week, members from WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) department, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the Sport Integrity Commission of New Zealand were in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the second of six workshops as part of the expansion of its Intelligence & Investigations Capability and Capacity Building Project in Asia and Oceania. 

The five-day workshop, hosted by the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee and Ministry of Sport of Saudi Arabia, brought together 42 representatives of law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) from 13 countries. The Capability and Capacity Building Project is at the heart of the ongoing development of WADA’s Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN).  

WADA Director, I&I, Günter Younger, said: “WADA is pleased to be in Saudi Arabia for this important workshop. We extend our sincere thanks to the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee and the Ministry of Sport of Saudi Arabia for their warm hospitality and leadership in hosting this event. We are also grateful to our partners at INTERPOL and the Sport Integrity Commission of New Zealand for their participation and ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration between NADO I&I experts and law enforcement across Asia and Oceania. 

“Each workshop – and every opportunity to connect with our partners around the world – adds another layer to the Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN). The level of engagement and insight from participants this week greatly enriched the discussions. We look forward to building on this momentum with our partners in Asia and Oceania and I am confident the knowledge and tools shared here will make a tangible impact in protecting clean sport throughout the region.” 

The specialized workshop addressed a range of I&I topics, including core intelligence functions and investigative techniques, confidential source management, open-source research, as well as analytical and interviewing methods. Participants also explored practical opportunities for collaboration between NADOs and law enforcement. 

Dr. Saleh Alkonbaz, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee, said: “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to host WADA, INTERPOL and our partners from the region for this week’s Intelligence and Investigations workshop. Intelligence and Investigations capability and capacity are key elements of an effective anti-doping program. We are honored to partake in meaningful discussions, share best practices and create relationships that will ultimately play a vital role in future operations.” 

The multi-phase project in Asia and Oceania will run over the next two years and will include online and in-person training of NADOs and law enforcement officers, with the objective of increasing in-house I&I capacity and supporting collaboration between NADOs and law enforcement agencies.  

The expansion of the project builds off the success of the I&I Capability and Capacity Building project in Europe that was carried out from 2022-2024 and will involve anti-doping organizations (ADOs) and law enforcement agencies from 61 countries in Asia and Oceania. The remaining four project workshops will be carried out in Thailand and India.