Minister says changes are necessary to be in compliance with global regulations
- Simba French
- Dec 14, 2023
- 0
As the world of sport changes, The Bahamas has to adapt and that applies to the anti-doping aspect of sports, said Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg during the debate on the Anti-Doping in Sports (Amendment) Bill 2023 in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
The bill will look to amend the act of 2009 which will put the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission (BADC) in compliance with the global governing body for anti-doping, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA updated its code in 2021.
There were some major changes that were included in the bill such as the removal of the national director of sports from BADC’s board, the inclusion of the athletic director at the University of The Bahamas (UB) to the board, the power of changing of board members’ selection from the minister to the governor general.
By not having the director of sports on the board, Bowleg said that it helps BADC to be more autonomous.
“This decision is rooted in the need for operational independence, ensuring that BADC can function autonomously in its pursuit of a doping-free sporting environment,” said the minister.
As for the addition of UB’s Athletics Director, Bowleg said that helps to strengthen ties with the academic community and fosters collaboration.
“The minister of sports will no longer select board members, a disciplinary panel, and appeals tribunal, ensuring transparency and operational independence by vesting this responsibility in the hands of the governor general,” Bowleg said.
It is important that The Bahamas complies with WADA as it affects several key aspects of international competition, according to Bowleg. Loss of WADA privileges, ineligibility to participate in independent programs, lack of WADA funding, ineligibility of board memberships, inability to host major sporting events, flag absence at international competitions and exclusion from the Olympic Games, are all on the line.
The amended act will come into operation on a date to be fixed by the minister, by notice published in the official Gazette of The Bahamas.