adminSikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
AFRICA Zone Six Regional Anti-Doping Organisation chairperson Nicholas Munyonga has called for an increase in anti-doping education to reduce the risk of athletes falling victim to the scourge.
Munyonga, who was elected recently to head the regional anti-doping body, made the call following reports of rampant doping in swimming.
“We have been following media reports of such vices in swimming, but we have also noted that while it has not been exactly substance abuse, it is how these vitamin boosters have been taken which is the violation part. But again the rules say the infusions or injections of more than 50ml per six-hour period are prohibited unless the infused/injected substance is administered during a hospital admission, surgical procedure or clinical
investigation,” said Munyonga.
He said the education aspect must not only target athletes, but administrators and coaches as well.
“The violations in swimming must actually have been investigated first before the publication of such stories through the media because now it will be difficult to gauge the extent of such practices and actually substantiate the claims, but nevertheless we need to up that education aspect,” said
Munyonga, who is also a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Online Reporter