The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS technical manager, Madinda Ndlovu has lamented lack of implementation of anti-doping measures in the country saying it would be difficult for his side to deal with errant players if there was no proof.
Highlanders have been hit by a drugs storm with allegations some players could be taking illicit substances although this has not been proved. Ndlovu said it would be difficult for the club to identify a player abusing drugs without testing.
He said when he left Botswana last year, random testing had become the order of the day but that has not been happening in the local Premiership.
“It is hard to ascertain if a player is on drugs or not by just looking at him, I can only judge a player on his performance because that is what I see. I can only tell whether he is off form or in-form by his action in the field. We need random testing as once players know they can be tested anytime and if they are found to be positive they can face sanctions,” said Ndlovu, adding they are concerned by the rumours.
Chief executive officer, Nhlanhla Dube said they are coming up with a stricter code of conduct that ensures players consent to more testing and are also looking at counselling and life skills talks.
“We don’t have proof of anyone doing drugs but it’s something we would want to deal with and nip in the bud if it ever happens in the future,” he said.
Regional Anti-Doping Organisation chairperson, Nicholas Munyonga said they have been conducting random tests in various sports codes but added they were limited by financial constraints.
He said they intend to scale up out of competition random testing next year using grants from the World Anti-doping Agency.
“We managed to test Caps United when they went on their Champions League assignment and we did tests for other sporting codes this year.
“However, it is difficult to conduct out of competition random testing because of costs with a single test costing $500,” said Munyonga.
He said because of the high costs they only do testing after a risk assessment profile which informs them whether to do random tests or not as costs curtail haphazard testing.
Munyonga said the risk assessment profile offers them objectivity on where to direct their efforts and will not rely on rumours.
He said they would also be seeking funding from Government to do more tests next year as they seek to fulfil their mandate and is confident the new Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry would have a close interest in this area considering her background as an athlete.
Zifa Sports Medicine Committee chairperson, Edward Chagonda said they only test athletes who will be involved in international competitions and do not test players in the local Premiership.
“Financial constraints are the major reason why we do not test players involved in the local Premier League competition but we mainly focus on conscientising them on the dangers of illicit substances and informing them about banned drugs. We do not have a lad for testing in the whole of Africa so we have to send samples to Europe and this adds on to the costs involved so it would be difficult for us to conduct regular tests,” he said.
