By George Bukenya
Doping is one of the problems that hinder the development of the different sports disciplines and talents in the world and some athletes like the famous late Diego Maradona of Argentina and currently France’s Paul Pogba both footballers failed the test and where banned for some period of time.
The International sports governing bodies like FIFA and International Olympic Committee came up with stringent measures to eliminate such bad behaviour from the athletes.
Uganda Olympic Committee embarked on training athletes to equip them with information regarding doping and its consequences to avoid landing it problems such as being banned or suspended from practicing their respective sports.
Uganda Dance sport athletes and some administrators where trained and equipped with doping knowledge so as to help them avoid using drugs.
Lt. Dr. Christopher Mbowa who was one of the facilitators in the one day Doping workshop informed the participants that the athletes are held 100% liable on the doping issue if tested by IOC or any international sports governing body Anti-Doping Control officer (DCO).
“ The Anti-Doping Control Officer is instructed to pick at random or basing on the performance of any athlete for testing during or after the competition even before the event takes place but before you are chosen for testing certain steps are under taken and the athlete is required to comply, Dr. Mbowa asserted.
He also warned the athletes and Dancing sport administrators who turned up for that training that in order to avoid being victims of circumstances they should have a full time sports medical officer from whom they take advice before using any drug when treating sickness and using any energy drink.
He also said athletes who are chosen to represent their respective countries must avail the International respecting sports governing bodies with their bio-data such as work and residence places, medical data and schools they are currently attending if they are students because the DOC regulations require to get the athlete tested without giving prior notice especially those who excel.
Priscillah Ondoga who also facilitated in the workshop also gave tips on how to use the supplements by the athletes and she also gave the participants a list of prohibited substances which she said keep on changing as deemed by the international sport governing body.
According to Ondoga even taking coffee a few hours towards the competition can land the athlete into the problem because it contains caffeine which is an energy booster.
“ The list of prohibited substances and methods is updated every year; the new list is published on the WADA’s website in October and comes into force on the 1st January the following year, every athlete and administrator is required to visit the website to check on the change made,’’ Ondoga advised.
The President who is also introduced the Dance Sport in Uganda, Barnabas Ssebuyungo who also attended the training said that he will disseminate the knowledge he acquired to the athletes and administrators so as to help the growth of the sport.