Applying doping test by collecting blood

UAE NADA has announced that it used for the first time in the history of local competitions doping test by collecting blood samples during the football semi-finals for the UAE President Cup in Al Ain, Sharjah, Zafra and Bani Yas on Tuesday 10th March 2020. Dr. Reema Alhosani, president of the National Anti-Doping Agency, pointed out that the method applied was through blood testing from 20 to 30 minutes at maximum after an athlete goes into the testing station. She confirmed that they preempted the anticipated WADA decision for blood testing which is going to be enforced in the future. She stated, "we aim at placing the UAE among the leading countries which adopt this method before it becomes mandatory in the near future. Work at NADA requires developing, and I would like to thank all the members of the board of directors for their team work spirit and devotion." Dr. Alhosani said that the chosen athletes have been very cooperative, and that NADA has launched an educational campaign for the athletes to explain the method and procedures of taking the test, pointing out that blood testing has proven that it detects more prohibited substances very accurately. She also thanked all the members of the work team who exerted every possible effort to make the mission a success.