Tunis — Regular checks during and outside competitions remain an effective weapon to fight doping. Doping is a hindrance to sports ethics and a threat to the health of athletes.

The battle of international sporting bodies such as FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) continue to press countries to recognize the urgent need to provide their athletes with the support and tools to prevent doping.

Tunisia has taken some major steps in this direction by establishing a legal anti-doping framework through the establishment in August 2007 of the National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) which held on November 24 and 25 in Tunis, a scientific seminar on "the fight against doping".

Chaired by Mr. Béchir Louzir the Secretary of State in charge of sports, the seminar focused on two main aspects, new scientific development in the fight against doping and the biological detection of prohibited substances, and training of screeners.

Mr. Mohamed Hedi Oueslati, Director General of National anti-doping Laboratory, the Director of the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analysis, Mr. Martial Saugy, Mr. Abderrazek Chakchouk, president of the Libyan anti-doping committee as well as Tunisian, Swiss, Moroccan, Libyan and Algerian experts, took part at the event.

Tunisia was one of the first countries outside Europe to sign the European Convention to fight against doping in 2003, in addition to signing the International Convention against doping in sports, in October 2008.

In a related event, Mr. Samir Laabidi, Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Education inaugurated on Monday the World Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) headquarters in Tunisia located in the "Montplasir" district , north of Tunis.