If you’re dreaming of representing India at the Asian Games, anti-doping education is no longer optional.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has reiterated that athletes must complete anti-doping education before being approved to compete at the Asian Games, making it one of the most significant athlete education initiatives in world sport.
Speaking at the 2026 WADA Asia/Oceania Ministerial Intergovernmental Meeting in Beijing, the OCA highlighted the success of the programme, which has recorded compliance rates of over 97 percent at recent Asian Games events.
The initiative was first introduced ahead of the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games, where athletes were required to complete WADA’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL) programme before receiving participation clearance.
For athletes, the message is simple: knowing the anti-doping rules is now considered just as important as meeting qualification standards.
The OCA believes education is the first line of defence against doping violations, helping athletes understand topics such as prohibited substances, supplement risks, testing procedures and Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs).
At the Beijing meeting, OCA Director of Medical and Anti-Doping Services Nadia Al Shamali presented the organisation’s anti-doping framework, which is built around three pillars: education, prevention and testing.
With the next Asian Games cycle underway, athletes targeting continental competition are encouraged to complete their anti-doping education well in advance and stay updated on WADA regulations.
After all, talent and hard work can get you to the start line—but understanding the rules ensures you stay there.