Analysts express fears over rising doping cases
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday October 24, 2025 10:41
He said over the past few years, high profile athletes have violated the Anti-Doping Code in Botswana and the trend seem to be increasing, which is concerning.
“WADA is keeping a stern eye on us for two reasons; we have been caught doping and that we are doing well in the world of sport, The Zebras in Morocco, The Mares in Morocco, silver medals and gold medals at the Olympics. Gold, silver and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games, the suspicion is that we have a doping culture. Consequently, WADA is on our case,” he said.
Dr Odiseng said he was concerned that the athletes were caught with a substance that should not be in their system. He said that implies that there might be some physicians in Botswana who are prescribing the drugs and there could also be a cartel of people who supply the athletes with drugs. He pointed out that the drugs are only available through prescription for specific medical conditions, therefore it implies that they are being smuggled into the country.
“It does not matter what you say, how, where, if a substance is found in your body as an athlete, you are responsible. You cannot say that your drink was spiked, in any case most of this things are injected.'
Those who are doing this, be it doctors or coaches, are endangering our reputation.'
'Doctors should familiarize themselves with the WADA Code and which drugs are banned, ” he said.
Dr Odiseng explained that supplements do not make any difference to athletic performance as studies have demonstrated.
For his part, Professor Tshepang Tshube, who conducted a research in 2020 said as much as the country is building a culture of success especially in 400m, there is an emerging culture of doping. Tshube's research focused on Anti-Doping Education and Consideration/Intention of using Prohibited Substances in Botswana, Zambia, and Papua New Guinea “If this is not addressed very soon, doping will be normalized, very soon we will be at the same level with Kenya and nearing the direction of Russia. It is major problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, given the positive results of doping that come up. It is likely that if you test everyone, you may get shocking results where a significant number of athletes are found to be using prohibited substances,” he said.
Tshube said the situation hurts Botswana's image more especially with World Athletics Relays coming to Gaborone. He said there is talk that Kenya dopes and that is negative for the country, which Botswana might find itself in. He said during the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Botswana was the only country with three finalists in 400m. “The last time we did that was at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games when Karabo Sibanda, Isaac Makwala and Baboloki Thebe were in the final. Amantle Montsho also won gold. Christine Botlogetswe and Montsho were also in the final, won a bronze. At the same competition, Makwala won gold while Thebe settled for silver.
Following those games, Botswana was covered globally for the success. The recent success also led to global media coverage. When doping comes, everyone knows about Botswana’s success, and when doping comes, the success is associated with cheating,” Tshube said. He said it is important for BAA to investigate and distance themselves from doping associated issues. He said the association must take stern measures against doping and that Botswana should not be seen to be sponsoring doping. “This problem is broader than BAA. I do not think they understand that. They had established a committee, which will not work. To solve this problem, they should start by legislation. I know that Parliament has passed the Anti-Doping bill, it should be implemented. BAA should establish its guidelines that they will follow religiously, that even the law takes its course, their own laws would have taken its course,” Tshube said.