New legal framework places greater responsibility on government to enforce clean sport standards as Kelebeng warns political will must match legislation
BONGANI MALUNGA
Botswana has tightened its fight against doping in sport, placing greater legal and institutional responsibility on government to protect athletes and ensure compliance with international anti-doping standards.
The country’s Anti-Doping Act, which came into effect this year, gives domestic legal force to the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport and strengthens the mandate of the Botswana National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO).
Botswana had already adopted the World Anti-Doping Code but the strengthened legal framework takes the fight beyond rules governing sporting organisations by providing a basis for government intervention through legislation, institutional support and enforcement.
POLITICAL WILL NEEDED
Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng has warned, however, that legislation alone will not clean up sport, stressing that political commitment, capable institutions and international cooperation will determine whether Botswana’s tougher framework works in practice.
Speaking during the three-day UNESCO Regional Capacity Building Programme for African States Parties to the International Convention Against Doping in Sport in Gaborone last week, Kelebeng said doping posed a threat extending beyond competition results.
“Doping cheats clean athletes, endangers health and erodes public trust. By protecting sport, we are therefore doing so not just as a job for sport organisations alone. It demands government leadership, strong institutions, sound law and international cooperation,” Kelebeng stressed.
STRONGER MECHANISMS
The new framework gives Botswana stronger mechanisms to regulate anti-doping activities, including testing, reporting of violations, therapeutic use exemptions, result management and appeals. It also provides NADO with statutory powers as Botswana seeks to build an anti-doping system capable of meeting international compliance requirements.
Kelebeng’s remarks place the spotlight on implementation, particularly whether Botswana will provide the institution with adequate technical expertise, financial resources and operational independence.
STRUGGLING WITH COMPLIANCE
The minister told the workshop that African countries have previously struggled with compliance because of weak coordination, limited capacity and gaps in their legal and operational frameworks.Botswana acceded to the UNESCO Convention in August 2009 but its domestication through the Anti-Doping Act represents a significant step towards making those international obligations enforceable under domestic law.
The challenge now shifts from having anti-doping commitments on paper to demonstrating that Botswana can effectively police them as its athletes increasingly compete on major international stages.