Anti-doping: A battle the nation has to win

Mmegi Editor | Monday July 18, 2022 06:00

It is altering the sporting landscape at a worrying rate. Doping is now deeply rooted in Botswana, a country with a relatively small population of athletes.

Under the Athletics Integrity Unit, Botswana is classified under Category B and already shares the tier with countries such as South Africa, Brazil, China and Columbia. These countries have a much bigger athlete population and one would expect doping incidences to be much higher. But Botswana is keeping up the unwanted pace and could soon find itself promoted to the top Category A, if the vice continues unabated.

Since 2010, Botswana has recorded eight doping cases, which is not a good record for a country with what is seen as a manageable elite athlete population.

The emergence of stars such as Amantle Montsho, Nijel Amos and Isaac Makwala amongst others, presented unseen challenges. Doping was probably overlooked as a challenge, as the focus was on the glory that these athletes bring.

The downside of Botswana’s progress in athletes appears to have been neglected. However, elsewhere in this publication, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho says there is a lot that has been done. Anti-doping education is central to eradicating the disturbing practice.

Serufho further says as authorities, they can do so much and the onus is on individual athletes to do the rest and adhere to anti-doping rules. The danger is that doping, while it is an offence committed by an individual, tarnishes the country’s name. Recent incidents have the potential to make anti-doping bodies keep an eagle eye on Botswana. We know what happened to Russia, where the country was sanctioned for its role in athletes’ doping. Botswana has been known for fair play, a country that competes and wants to win under fair conditions. Doping should be emphatically kicked out and a message sent that ‘cheating’ is not tolerated in sport. Only honesty, dedication and hard work will bring results.

Regional Anti-Doping Organisation manager, Andrew Kamanga is of the view that local authorities need to do more awareness campaigns on doping.

But as Serufho says, if there is no mindset shift amongst athletes, this trend will continue unabated. The onus is indeed on athletes who should by now; know the perils of consuming anything they are unsure about. What will dishearten authorities is that senior athletes are the ones caught doping. What message are they sending to young or budding athletes? These doping incidents will set a bad precedence at a time when Botswana sport is on the right trajectory. Authorities must send out a clear message that doping will not be tolerated.

Today's thought

“The said thing about doping is how much it obscures our appreciation of greatness.”

– Malcolm Gladwell