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Botswana could be home to doping syndicate – RADO

‘Say no to doping’ banner PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
‘Say no to doping’ banner PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Botswana could be home to a doping syndicate as more athletes test positive for banned substances.

The local doping office has not ruled out the possibility of outside elements involved in doping cases, which have seen Olympians, Nijel Amos, Amantle Montsho, and Lydia Jele fall foul of the doping rules. The Africa Zone VI Anti-Doping Office (RADO) manager, Andrew Kamanga, told MmegiSport that although there is no tangible evidence, he could safely say there is a doping syndicate operating within the athletes. “Why are syringes and other accessories found at the stadium when the athletes are training? Where do they get the substances for which they are testing positive for? They are covering up for their colleagues and suppliers of banned substances,” Kamanga said.

Ditiro Nzamani and Petunia Gaegopolwe, who tested positive last year, complained that they were forced to sign admission forms to get reduced suspensions and avoid hearings. Jele also feels the results are tampered with and she has been unfairly targeted. Kamanga revealed that Nzamani ran away from the Doping Control Officers (DCO).

He said they thought it was simple ignorance and they sat him down and counselled him in the presence of his mother. “We advised him to take compliance issues seriously. Nzamani and Gaegopolwe were advised about the options available to them in the light of the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV). They independently chose the options they took. The Botswana National Anti-Doping representative, Fredrick Seno did not force anyone. I was working with him very closely in all the cases,” Kamanga said. Since 2014, ...??? athletes have been found guilty of doping offences, with four still serving their suspensions.

Editor's Comment
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