Botswana close to finalising Anti-Doping Bill amid fears of more cases after Nijel Amos’ suspension

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ATHLETICS Botswana close to finalising Anti-Doping Bill amid fears of more cases after Nijel Amos’ suspension

Joel Omotto 20:00 - 21.10.2023

Botswana is moving with speed to put in place an Anti-Doping law to curb further doping cases following the suspension of former Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos in May.

Botswana is in a race against time to finalise the National Anti-Doping (NADO) Bill.

The process is reportedly in its advanced stages with amendments set for parliamentary debate before seeking approval from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The existing Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Act of 2014 passively touches on some anti-doping matters and the country wants the new rules to be in line with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code.

Botswana’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Kitso Kemoeng confirmed that the NADO Bill is in an advanced stage having worked on amendments in collaboration with the Attorney General and consultation with WADA.

"We are working on the amendments with the Attorney General and liaising with WADA. Further submissions were made this week from other stakeholders, and they will be added to the Bill," Kemoeng told Botswana’s MmegiSport on Friday.

The country is seeking to put in measures to curb doping with some of its top athletes having been suspended over various violations related to using banned substances.

Botswana’s former Olympic 800m silver medallist Nijel Amos, one of the country’s top athletes, is currently serving a three-year doping ban having been suspended in May after he tested positive for the banned substance GW1516, with his sanctions starting in July 2022.

Initially handed a four-year suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit, Amos saw his ban reduced to three after admitting his culpability.

Amantle Montsho, the 2018 Commonwealth Games 400m champion, is also another Botswana athlete to have been suspended in the past over doping.

With sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo currently flying Botswana’s flag high, after winning silver in 100m and bronze in 200m at the 2023 World Championships, the country is keen to avoid its image being tarnished further, hence the desire to have the National Anti-Doping Bill in place.