Marape gets surprise FIDE nod
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday January 18, 2019 11:30
At the same time, Woman International Master, Tshepiso Lopang has been elected continental adviser to the FIDE president. FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich made the appointment, which took Dr Marape by surprise. “I do not know how he knew about me and I was surprised when I received his email. The Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) also had to write a non-objection letter,” he told Mmegi Sport.
Dr Marape will be responsible for overseeing and enforcing all anti-doping, nutritional and medical issues in chess across the world. He said that also includes making sure that players are tested in and out of competition for use of banned substances.
“My commission must make sure that FIDE is compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. We should educate players and officials on anti-doping worldwide, enforcing penalties where players or officials are found to have violated anti-doping rules. Chess players and officials must be educated on nutrition and medical issues,” Dr Marape added.
He said the first step that they must embark on would be to review the FIDE handbook on the medical commission, mainly anti-doping and editing it.Dr Marape wants to make sure that the composition of the commission is drawn from all continents and that there is sufficient expertise. “Chess is generally a low-risk sport as far as doping is concerned. However, we still need to make sure that players do not dope. We test them during major competitions at world and continental level as well as top players out-of-competition, which for grandmasters only,” Dr Marape said.
The new appointee said the best way to deal with doping was to educate the players regularly about doping. He said the list of banned substances is known to players and it should be published on the FIDE website.
“There should be regular anti-doping workshops for players and officials. Players must know the consequences of violations. They should avoid going to any doctor and avoid buying over the counter medication,” he said.
Dr Marape noted that players should have nutritionists or dieticians who are also knowledgeable about banned substances. BCF president, Mothokomedi Thabano said the appointment of Dr Marape and Lopang were an indication that the Federation was growing.
“We are excited about the FIDE appointments. It gives us recognition and to have one commission headed by a Motswana is indeed good news for the country,” he said.
The FIDE medical commission members include:
Dr Marape (chairperson), Asabin Mohibi (secretary), Agnieszka Fornal (councillor), Kivanc Gungor (councillor), Dwi Hatmisari Ambarukmi (councillor), Arthur Albert Schuering (councillor), Seraphin Fopa Gnounewou (member), Zong-Yuan Zhao (member), Dorian-Ciprian David (member), Dejan Bojkov (member), Amelia Hernandes Bollia (member), Virginia Reis (member), Sabri Abdul-Mawla Sallam (member), Victor Ngani (member) and Dr Guillermo Marcelo (member).