Maldives sets up national anti-doping agency
New independent body aligns Maldives with global anti-doping rules, boosting athlete protection and international sporting credibility
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — Maldives has established a national anti-doping agency, a move seen as a key step toward strengthening integrity, transparency, and international credibility in the country’s sporting system.
The Maldives National Anti-Doping Agency was created through a presidential decree issued by Mohamed Muizzu, fulfilling a legal requirement introduced under amendments to the Sports Act earlier this year. The reform brings the country in line with global expectations governing competitive sport.
Under the revised law, Maldives is required to maintain an independent body responsible for preventing doping, enforcing compliance, and ensuring fair competition across all levels of sport. The agency has been established under Article 116(a) of the Constitution and will operate under an independent board, despite being administratively attached to the Ministry of Sports.
Sports governance analysts say independent anti-doping bodies are increasingly viewed as essential for athlete welfare and institutional credibility.
Such agencies play a critical role in safeguarding athletes from coercion, unregulated substances, and uneven enforcement, while also ensuring that sporting success is built on merit rather than chemical enhancement.
The agency will operate in accordance with international standards, including the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport and the World Anti-Doping Code. Compliance with these frameworks is mandatory for countries seeking full participation in international sporting events and recognition by global federations.
For Maldives, the move could have practical implications beyond regulation. Stronger anti-doping oversight is often a prerequisite for hosting regional competitions, sending athletes to international tournaments, and building confidence among sponsors and sporting partners.
It also provides athletes with clearer rules, transparent testing procedures, and institutional protection against arbitrary sanctions.
The Sports Act requires the agency’s board to be constituted by the Minister of Sports using national expertise, while adhering to international best practices. Officials say this structure is intended to balance operational independence with accountability under domestic law.
As smaller sporting nations seek greater visibility on international stages, governance reforms such as independent anti-doping oversight are increasingly seen as foundational rather than optional. Maldives’ decision signals an effort to professionalize its sports ecosystem and align it with the regulatory standards that now define global competition.
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