THE Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JACDO) and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) have signed a 15-month long, Joint Initiative Agreement that will enable JADCO to immediately benefit from the organisation, which has over 20 years of antidoping expertise.

The agreement which was signed on May 15 of this year will run through to August 2015 and will enhance JADCO’s capacity to implement its anti-doping programme locally and meet the requirements of the World Anti- Doping Code.

Carey Brown, executive director of JADCO, commenting on the alliance said: “The Commission is pleased to consolidate its partnership with CCES and its guidance will be crucial in the further development of Jamaica’s anti-doping programme.”

“We are pleased to lend our expertise to JADCO and assist them with the development of their anti-doping programme.” said Paul Melia, president and chief executive officer of the CCES.

“Not only are we proud to be supporting JADCO’s efforts, this partnership also helps to ensure our Canadian athletes have confidence that all competitors continue to strive to play fair,” said Melia.

In March 2014, representatives of the CCES and WADA met with the JADCO Board of Commissioners and its Executive Officers to discuss the project plan and identify several specific areas for cooperation.

JADCO will also receive guidance and technical assistance in making the necessary adjustments that will ensure that it will be ready to fully implement all the new requirements under the World Anti-Doping Code 2015 and the mandatory International Standards which will come into effect on January 1, 2015.