GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TOWARDS SUPPORTING ANTI-DOPING EFFORTS

The Government through the Ministry of Youth Sport and Arts has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting anti-doping work in the Country.

According to a letter addressed to the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi by MYSA Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe, Zambia being a signatory to the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport remains committed and steadfast in ensuring doping in sport is eradicated to zero in the country.

“To this end, the country will continue supporting every initiative aimed at eliminating

doping in sport. The country will support programmes and activities which are initiated

and promoted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other stakeholders,” he said.

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe

He added saying that this is imperative as Zambia takes sport as an industry that must be well developed to create job opportunities for youth in the country. As such the government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts shall continue to support a clean sport environment for the athletes in the country.

“It is from this background that the Ministry reaffirms and commits to make available

increased budgetary allocation to work on anti-doping in the 2023 budget to ensure there

is increased education and sensitization activities as well as government-sponsored out-

of-competition tests, as well as capacity building,” He added.

The PS concluded by stating that the Ministry looks forward to increased collaboration with all stakeholders in and outside the country such as NOCZ, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO ZONE VI), and the International Olympic Committee

(IOC).