Doping needs our collective action

Mmegi Editor | Monday February 2, 2026 08:16

As such, we are now one step away from the shame of being labelled amongst the world’s worst offenders. This is a national embarrassment that demands an immediate, united response from every corner of our society. Pointing fingers is useless, we must all hold up our hands and play our part in the dealing with this matter.

To our government and the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), the call is for the to adopt decisive leadership and investment attitude. Yes, funding increased testing is a burden, but as stated, those in the leadership must must shoulder it. This is not just a sporting expense, but an investment in our country’s integrity and global reputation. We need more than reactive funding. We need a proactive, well-funded national anti-doping education campaign and serious support for investigations to break the cartels infiltrating our sport, as warned.

Meanwhile, we call on the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) to move beyond issuing letters of deep concern. Compliance with AIU conditions is the bare minimum. The BAA must be a relentless driver of a new culture. This means transparent communication, unwavering support for clean athletes, and a truly zero-tolerance policy that starts at the grassroots level.

Coaches, you are on the front line. You hold the trust of young athletes. Your role is not just to produce winners, but to build champions of character. You must be educators, not enablers. Passing on knowledge of banned substances, or turning a blind eye, is a betrayal of your duty and our nation.

Athletes, you carry the flag. Your incredible talent is being overshadowed by suspicion. The short-cut of doping is a theft, it steals your health, your future, and the honest victories of your teammates. The world is watching with a different eye, and sponsors are walking away. Your legacy should be one of inspiring hard work, not scandal.

Parents and the Community, your influence is profound in this matter. Parents, ask questions. Support your children’s dreams, but not at any cost. The community must celebrate clean effort as loudly as gold medals. We must create an environment where cheating is seen as a disgrace, not a secretive path to glory.

The excuses have been dismissed. The allegations of sample swapping have been firmly rejected by experts following global standards. There is nowhere left to hide. This scourge, if unchecked, will see government support vanish and render our sporting name blacklisted.

Botswana’s rise in athletics has been a story of natural talent and fierce determination. We cannot let it become a cautionary tale about cheating. From the halls of government to the local training track, we must unite to reclaim our integrity.

Today's thought

'The sad thing about doping is how much it obscures our appreciation of greatness'-Malcolm Gladwell