The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has established an anti-doping committee, the organization announced Tuesday.
The committee’s task will be enabling World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliance within one year to ensure MMA is on par with other major international sports when it comes to anti-doping policies.
“Battling performance-enhancing substance abuse is crucial not only to ensure fair play but most importantly from a health and safety perspective,” an IMMAF statement read.
The committee’s first goal is to “investigate implementation for WADA compliance within the member federations and implications on matters such as sanctioning of professional events and compliance with the national guidelines in each individual country.”
Vice-president of the IMMAF and president of the French MMA Federation Bertrand Amoussou was chosen to chair the committee.
Once the committee has compiled its members — IMMAF member federations will be asked to nominate candidates for election to the committee – its anti-doping policies and procedures will be developed and then sent to WADA for approval.
The IMMAF was founded in February 2012 by president of the Swedish MMA Federation August Wallén, who says the organization’s goal is to further the development and recognition of MMA, enabling international competition through the organization of national MMA federations around the world.
On Monday, Finland became the 20th nation to become a member of the IMMAF. Other member nations include Canada, the United Kingdom, United States and Brazil.
Responsibilities of the IMMAF anti-doping committee include:
— Development and maintenance of IMMAF anti-doping policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with the WADA code.
— Education of member federations and assistance in implementation of anti-doping policies and procedures.
— Development of IMMAF anti-doping education and information programmes for all stakeholders.
— Development and maintenance of the IMMAF doping control program including pre and post competition testing, result based testing, random testing and targeted testing.
— Establishment of criteria for and maintenance of the IMMAF Registered Testing Pool (RTP), identifying those who need provide their whereabouts.
— WADA and National anti-doping organization communication.
— Annual report on IMMAF anti-doping activities.
