The Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Doping Committee, Dr. Mai Al Jaber, revealed special specifications that must be met by doping testing officers to implement the national testing program, in accordance with international standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), most notably dealing with uncooperative or tense athletes in a manner Diplomacy, to ensure compliance with screening, ability to exercise self-control in difficult situations and complex logistical settings, and remain calm and collected in high-pressure or sensitive situations.
Mai Al Jaber told Emirates Today that “four workshops are held annually to qualify doping testing officers, to obtain qualified people to join the committee,” noting that “20 new doping testing officers have been included in the committee.”
The National Doping Committee, which Al Jaber has chaired since 2022, recently held a training workshop at the Hamdan Sports Complex.
«Emirates Today» met with Mai Al-Jaber, who touched on many topics related to the work of the committee, and spoke about the main goal of the training workshop for anti-doping officers that the agency constantly holds. She said, “The goal is to qualify and train new anti-doping officers, and to ensure their readiness to implement the program.” “The National Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) tests in line with the international standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency, as the workshop focuses on enhancing the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to combat doping effectively.”
Regarding the topics that were covered during the workshop to comply with the international standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency, she explained that it covered a wide range of topics, including the World Anti-Doping Agency’s guidelines for sample collection procedures, proper documentation and chain of custody, athletes’ rights and responsibilities during sample collection sessions, and considerations. Ethical, practical demonstrations will also be conducted to simulate real-life test scenarios, ensuring participants are well prepared to perform their duties in the field.
She added, “The workshop constitutes an essential part of the National Anti-Doping Agency’s strategy to build a strong testing program by expanding its group of qualified doping control officials, and by ensuring that examinations and training processes are consistent with the standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The agency also aims to maintain integrity and effectiveness in Combating doping, enhancing athletes’ confidence, and supporting the spirit of clean sports at the state level.”
Dr. Mai Al Jaber stated that the National Anti-Doping Agency holds four workshops annually for sample collection officials, two of which are for screening officers and blood collection officers, and the other two are for escorts. This ensures continuous education, skills enhancement, and compliance with approved international standards and their updates.
Regarding the objectives of the workshops and sample collection officials, she explained that the primary purpose of these workshops is to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the sample collection process, and the specific objectives include training on sample collection procedures, enhancing compliance with global anti-doping rules and the international standard for testing, and providing practical training on collecting urine and blood samples. The biological passport, ensuring accuracy in completing documents, such as the doping control form, emphasizing professionalism, confidentiality and impartiality during sample collection, and discussing ways to deal with difficult situations, such as uncooperative athletes.
The workshops also aim to train on how to deal with minor players and people of determination, and to inform sample collection officials of changes occurring in anti-doping regulations, testing methods, and new substances included in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list.
As well as ensuring quality and consistency by standardizing procedures to reduce errors and inconsistencies in sample collection sessions, building personal skills, developing communication and interpersonal skills to deal with different athletes professionally, enhancing problem-solving skills, and training sample collection officials to solve problems, such as late arrival or rejection of athletes. , equipment malfunction, or testing stations not conforming to international standards, in addition to emphasizing the importance of securing samples from collection to storage and transportation to the laboratory, and reviewing procedures to maintain the integrity of the sample and prevent tampering with it.
Regarding the National Committee accepting new people to work with it, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Doping Committee said: “The door is always open to sample collection officials to join or participate in anti-doping programs, workshops and activities, with priority given to citizens of the country.”
Dr. Mai Al Jaber concluded her speech by stressing that sample collection officials have an essential role in ensuring the integrity of the anti-doping process, and their participation is crucial to the success of the National Anti-Doping Agency.
Specifications of doping testing officers
. Minimum academic qualifications, or equivalent experience in medical sciences or related fields.
. Proficiency in handling equipment, completing Doping Control Forms (DCFs), and maintaining chain of custody.
. In detail to ensure accuracy of documentation, and to avoid errors that may invalidate test results.
. Use digital tools, databases, and applications for testing and reporting.
. Firm commitment to integrity, confidentiality and neutrality.
. Adhere to National Anti-Doping Agency guidelines and its Code of Conduct.
. Ability to remain calm and collected in high-pressure or sensitive situations.
. Reliability, punctuality and flexibility.
. Possessing strong communication skills.
. Ability to explain testing procedures concisely and respond to inquiries professionally.
. Deal with uncooperative or stressed athletes diplomatically to ensure compliance with screening.
. Ability to work long hours, travel frequently, and handle physical tasks such as transporting samples.
. Ability to exercise self-control in difficult situations, such as dealing with high-profile athletes, or complex logistical settings.
. Commitment to continuous learning.
. Respect the rights of athletes during sample collection, including privacy.
. Willingness to work irregular hours, weekends, or official holidays as needed.
. The door is always open for sample collection officials to join anti-doping programs… and priority goes to citizens.
. 20 new doping testing officers have been qualified to work in the National Committee.
