“We are planning to increase the budget for the Indonesian Anti-Doping Agency [LADI] up to 500 percent in 2021 to increase drug testing as well as to build an anti-doping lab in Indonesia,” he said on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Banka.

“This commitment is a part of our determination to host the 2032 Olympics.”

He said that Indonesia usually sent test samples overseas, either to India, Qatar or Thailand, an expensive venture that led to limited drug testing for Indonesian athletes. 

“With the presence of an anti-doping laboratory in Indonesia, I hope the number of drug tests will increase significantly,” said Zainuddin.

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Also present at the meeting was LADI chairman Zaini Khadafi Saragih, who said that there was a lack of anti-doping laboratories in Asia. 

“There are around 30 laboratories in the world, only two of which are in Asia, namely in Penang, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand,” he said. “Therefore I support the Youth and Sports Ministry’s [plan] to build a drug testing laboratory.”

Banka said that the WADA was encouraging both the private and public sectors to focus on anti-doping campaigns.

“Today’s meeting is very important. I’m looking forward to the good cooperation with Indonesia,” he said. (aly)