admin
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union have reiterated their commitment to boosting anti-doping education after suspensions were handed down to three international age-grade players. Simbarashe Micheal Chirara, Dylan Coetzee and Ian Wilson Muza were all suspended after testing positive for prohibited substances at the 2012 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.
With concern expressed by the IRB regarding anti-doping education in age-grade rugby in Zimbabwe, the global governing body has established a pilot project in the Union to strengthen education and testing, with focus on age-grade players in schools and events from the beginning of 2014.
The programme will be based on the IRB’s successful “Keep Rugby Clean” education initiative and will be run in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency and Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organisation.
IRB Anti-Doping Manager for Testing and Education, Ilaria Baudo, hailed the ZRU for their commitment to prioritising anti-doping education within the rugby family.
“It is important that players and administrators understand that there is no place for doping in sport, and education has a major role to play in that process. That is why we are pleased to be delivering this pilot scheme.
“The sessions were very valuable to the Zimbabwean Union and I expect they will be of great benefit in future,” said Baudo.
Chirara provided an out-of-competition sample prior to the tournament, which was found to contain prohibited substances.
He took no part in the tournament and was given a two-year ban with six months suspended.
His sanction will run until December 15 this year.
Coetzee provided an out of competition sample at the tournament which was also found to contain nandrolone. He was given a two-year sanction which will end on June 21 next year.
Muza was given a two-year sanction after the sample he provided out of competition at the tournament was found to contain the presence of stanozolol.
His sanction will run until June 28 next year.
The IRB operates a zero-tolerance policy on doping.
Players are solely responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body. These cases highlight the inherent dangers of steroid abuse and the need for players, especially age-grade players, to be educated about the risks involved in taking prohibited substances.
Online Reporter