The National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) and representatives of the German professional leagues in basketball (easyCredit BBL), handball (LIQUI MOLY HBL) and volleyball (VBL) are jointly laying the foundation for a restructuring of out-of-competition control measures in the three sporting disciplines.
After a short test phase to set up the administrative infrastructure and conduct trainings, NADA Germany will establish a team testing pool in the three professional men's leagues and the women's volleyball Bundesliga starting in February 2022.
The team testing pool will include all players licensed in the respective leagues and will enable NADA Germany to test all of the above-mentioned league players outside of competitions. Through central team whereabouts, which comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) international whereabout requirements, NADA Germany receives athlete whereabouts information for test planning in the three team sports.
Basketball, handball and volleyball thus follow the already existing and proven system in soccer and ice hockey. Team testing pools already exist for the German Ice Hockey League (DEL/DEB) and the German Soccer League (DFL/DFB) with the aim of carrying out extensive doping control measures outside of competition.