The increase in statistics has been attributed to intensive testing by the Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO). According RADO statistics, Botswana recorded four Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) cases while Angola, Lesotho and Mozambique, Zimbabwe each had one case. Although South Africa managed their programmes independently from RADO Region VI, they recorded 244 cases from various sports codes.
The Botswana athletics was hard-hit as the country saw some its high profile athletes on the wrong side of the doping code. Veteran athlete, Lydia Jele, 400m runners Ditiro Nzamani of Sports View Athletics Club and Pertunia Gaegopolwe of Lions Den were caught offside. Rugby player, Koketso Galetshetse was also provisionally suspended after a positive doping control test. RADO regional manager, Andrew Kamanga, told MmegiSport that they saw a general increase in numbers, meaning the testing is getting intensive. “As RADO anti-doping administrators, we hope that in 2025, more athletes will remain clean and help us to promote clean sport. We will continue to support our member countries in implementing robust doping control testing programmes. More importantly, we want to educate athletes, Athlete Support Personnel (ASP), and parents to create a conducive environment for clean sport,” Kamanga said.
He said with the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, there could be pressure on athletes to perform. He said they are hopeful of working closely with athletics federations in preparations for the event. “WADA continues to support us, as practitioners in the field with tools to facilitate our work. The prohibited list, as an international standard, is one such tool. It is important that athletes, ASPs, and doctors, in particular, need to familiarise themselves with the 2025 list to avoid instant inadvertent doping. Ignorance is not an excuse,” he warned. Kamanga encouraged athletes to undertake due diligence on the supplements and medication they consume to avoid Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) and Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV). He said the list also entails prohibited methods, which must not be utilised by athletes in any situation. Kamanga said athletes must therefore seek professional guidance on the 2025 list of prohibited substances and methods.
Meanwhile, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2025 prohibited list is now in full force after coming into effect on January 1. The updated list includes new prohibited substances and changes to the dosing intervals for certain medications. The prohibited list is one of eight International Standards that are mandatory for all signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and specifies which substances and methods are prohibited both in and out of competition.
