The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has successfully registered with WADA ADeL, the anti-doping e-learning platform (ADeL) offering access to all topics related to clean sport and anti-doping.
Through access to the platform, IMMAF can now offer its membership enhanced courses and resources for MMA’s athletes, coaches, doctors, administrators and other participants interested in learning more about anti-doping and protecting the values of clean sport.
Over 100 IMMAF coaches were certified through WADA e-courses over the weekend.
The world governing body for MMA has implemented a comprehensive drug-testing programme at its Championships since 2015, under the leadership of expert consultant Michele Verroken of Sporting Integrity, as well as ongoing anti-doping education. IMMAF has issued 9 suspensions to date.
The organisation recently announced its bolstered Anti-doping Committee and a new dedicated, Anti-doping Disciplinary Committee to strengthen its drive for a drug-free sport in amateur MMA.
IMMAF Anti-Doping Chair Michele Verroken commented:
“This partnership with WADA allows IMMAF to offer educational courses across the globe to our athletes, coaches, parents and medical personnel. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive up anti-doping knowledge which in turn should lead to more informed decision making about the risks of doping, how to avoid a doping violation and how to help promote the Clean MMA message. Testing is one way to address the problem of doping, but it is limited in its impact. Education is far more significant and ADeL allows us to extend our support for IMMAF members to protect the values of clean sport. We look forward to engaging all our members with ADeL as evidence of our commitment to doping-free sport.”
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commented:
“Access to the WADA ADeL resource enhances IMMAF’s educational offering to members around doping in sport. I am proud of the enthusiastic take-up by our member coaches. In contact sport, fairness in competition critically impacts on the safety also of the opponent and this is well understood by IMMAF’s members who uphold the Olympic and martial arts values of respect, friendship and excellence.”
