Botswana is among 37 countries that have not yet signed the document, which was drafted in 2005 and approved last year.
It is unclear why government is taking so long to sign the convention and reports are that Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) has been engaging the government on the matter. BNOC president Negroes Kgosietsile said signing the convention is imperative if Botswana is to be seen to march with the rest of the world. The signing will also be of great help to Botswana especially at this time when the country is looking at establishing a National Anti Doping Office (NADO). Kgosietsile said the draft for the establishment of the office has been submitted to the relevant government authorities and that his office is awaiting the response. Kgosietsile added that while the non-rectification cannot stop them from forming the NADO, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) would not be bound to help the office in executing its duties. The BNOC chief said it is very important that Botswana has its own office to take care of the doping issues. Currently doping issues are taken care of by BNOC and Kgosietsile said they are incapacitated and taking on issues of anti-doping put a lot of burden on them.
He added that it is important that doping issues are taken care of at a separate office and by people who understand it clearly. Anti-Doping office will be responsible for educating and testing athletes about the effect of use of performance enhancing drugs in sports.
