Sport in need of rescue from the clutches of doping

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday July 1, 2025 10:19

For now there is only one winner as doping has emerged on top, while sport desperately tries to escape from its clutches. It is an ugly situation where athletes have been taken hostage by the vice. A nation is struggling for answers amid the rising doping cases which, at the turn of the millennium, were alien to the local shores. But now it's a reality that is walking bare footed in the corridors of local sport. Authorities have not conceded defeat or, ordinarily, are not expected to, but the pervasive nature of this ill is now overwhelming. The war has not been lost, but several battles have been conceded as doping has gained considerable ground. It is an unfortunate situation that sadly shines negative spotlight on Botswana sport. One of the local athletes, Lydia Jele is serving arguably the longest ban in recent memory after she was slapped with an eight year suspension, effectively putting to bed her once thriving athletics career. Doping has knocked on so many doors and managed to leave a mangled wreck. But as sport leaders sift through the aftermath, answers have been far and few between.

What has Botswana sport become, what could be the solution, are some of the critical questions that have blown across a baffled fraternity, but still there are no comprehensive answers. If anything, the situation in Botswana has given birth to some conspiracy theories. Could Botswana be unfairly targeted? Has the country become a victim of its own success after producing countless stars on the athletics track? Are athletes being naïve or the doping rules so stringent that anything and everything can result in a violation? The rules are clear that as an athlete, you are responsible for what you consume. However, despite the clear demarcation, violations are instead escalating. The region's anti-doping office, led by Andrew Kamanga has a responsibility of ensuring athlete education and awareness on doping matters, working hand-in-glove with local sport associations, but still this hasn't yielded the desired results; why? But Botswana is not alone in this 'pandemic' predicament.

The story of Russia is well documented but offers a different case study. Countries like India and Kenya are equally concerned with their local situations as doping shows no signs of abating. It then calls for a thorough, open-minded interrogation which will focus on the global, then African context before zooming into the local situation. Are the challenges faced by other countries similar to what Botswana is struggling with or its a peculiar situation. There is now need for serious soul searching, as clearly the mandatory precautions or measures are not bearing any fruit. It is time to shift gears in a bid to obliterate a ruthless enemy of progress.