Botswana is preparing legislation on anti-doping in line with international best practice.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, through consultations with affiliated stakeholders such as World Anti-Doping Agency, Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), Attorney General’s chambers, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) are working on a bill of a National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO).
This was revealed by NADO Anti-doping officer, Ntebogang Khubamang.
Khubamang said there is no definite timeline for NADO to be fully setup in the Botswana since setting up a NADO is a process that takes time due to matters arising from compliance issues. She added: “NADO is an independent organisation, funded by the local government. Despite funding from government, it is an autonomy body that independently does its business without interference from government.
She revealed that Botswana has new rules that are in line with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. All countries have effected the new code on the 1st January, 2021 worldwide with the same timelines and standards.
“A lot of positives will be derived from having a fully established NADO such as independence and autonomy, results management, intelligence testing and Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) matters to be handled locally. NADO continues to engage athletes, coaches and managers through education sessions to educate them on the current set up and changes cognisant of the new code and new prohibited list that all came into effect this year” explained Khubamang.
She said that NADO office medical personnel will be trained for them to be relevant to the operations of NADO and be informed of anything to do with anti-doping should the team need assistance.
