Minister of Sports Sithree van Heydoorn has pledged his full support for the Anti-Doping Programme in Curaçao. Speaking during the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) Annual General Meeting in Willemstad on May 7th, Minister van Heydoorn emphasized the prominence given to fair and clean sport on the Government’s agenda.
“In the already-approved sport policy from 2021-2025, the Government of Curaçao has identified the establishment of the C-NADO, the National Anti-Doping Organization of Curaçao, as one of the most important policy intentions. This is the reason why the Government has established the Anti-Doping Organization by a National Decree.”
“Curaçao will soon be able to oversee a fully utilized and well-functioning Anti-Doping Organization; all of this is to support our athletes, and a healthy and clean sports environment. It is certain here that the focus is on raising the awareness of society as a whole, and in particular the athletes, of the importance of clean sport. We are honoured to be able to count on the support of countries in the region with enough experience and willingness to support the process in our island as well,” Minister van Heydoorn added.
During his remarks, Patrick Werleman, Chairman of the Caribbean RADO welcomed the return of a face-to-face AGM for the first time since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The real value of celebrating the Board Meeting in-person is not only to meet all the Member Country Representatives and to discuss anti-doping issues and challenges, but even more importantly, it is to
help the host country get maximum visibility to increase the awareness of anti-doping – to get maximum support for their anti-doping programmes,” said Werleman.
The Caribbean RADO Chairman also had high praise for the work of the Curaçao National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) and Member Country Representative Ruthsel Martina.
“We have positive expectations about the Anti-Doping Programme in Curaçao. Together with the commitment of the Government of Curaçao and the Minister of Sport, we are convinced that the Anti- Doping Programme will continue to grow.”
María José Pesce Cutri, Director of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Latin American Office also stressed the importance of having effective national anti-doping programmes, and encouraged Member Country Representatives to fulfil all requirements to remain compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.
During the week-long visit, the Caribbean RADO team met with representatives of the Curaçao NADO. On May 6th, the delegation also paid a courtesy call to Minister van Heydoorn at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports at World Trade Centre Curaçao with WADA’s Pesce Cutri. The
team later hosted an Anti-Doping Education Workshop for athletes, coaches, and members of National Federations.
Curaçao is one of the eighteen (18) Caribbean RADO Member Countries.
