Qatar to combat illegal drug use in sport

Qatar is to set up the Gulf’s first anti-doping lab in a bid to crack down on the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs among athletes, it was reported on Thursday. The Gulf state, which is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has bid to stage the 2020 Olympic Games, will open the Anti-Doping Lab Qatar (ADLQ) in October this year, the Doha-based Gulf Times newspaper reported. Dr Mohamed al-Sayrafi, general manager of the ADLQ, said the facility, which will be located within Aspire Zone, will also carry out drug awareness campaigns as part of its brief. The announcement was made during a two-days symposium in Doha to look at some of the most pressing issues in sports and general human health.