Some Cranes players were among Ugandan sportsmen tested for banned substances early this week as the national anti-doping body continues to intensify the fight against drugs.
The out-of-competition tests on Cranes players were carried out on Tuesday at Namboole as the national team prepared for yesterday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso.
Dr Robert Zavuga, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Medical Commission chairman, who headed the anti-doping team, refused to reveal the names and number of players tested.
“It’s true we did the tests but the rest of the information is confidential. We have also carried out tests on netball, athletics, boxing, volleyball and other top national players,” said Dr Zavuga. With support from regional authorities and the world ant-doping body, WADA, Zavuga said they would increase the intensity of testing in the months to come with an aim of taking a clean team to the Olympics due August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Our role is to protect the health of athletes and in so doing, we deter them from using prohibited drugs and substances which may be dangerous to their health,” he added.
According to Zavuga, the definition of doping as par the world anti-doping code 2015, has changed meaning that athletes and officials need to be sensitized the more.
Revealing whereabouts
“The definition has broadened from not only using prohibited substances. Refusing to give a sample or failure to reveal your whereabouts can land a sportsman trouble,” noted Zavuga.
“Manipulation of the sample collected, bribing or attempted bribery of the doping control officer, being found in possession of prohibited drugs, trafficking of banned drugs, using a coach who has been suspended and associating with the banned individuals, can now earn an athlete a suspension of up to four years,” he explained.
Unlike neighbours Kenya, Uganda hasn’t registered a positive test although the tests on Cranes players are yet to be released.
sbashaija@ug.nationmedia.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment