Bańka told the gathering that sport has the power to unite people but said it should be a clean sport without doping. “Our role as the global anti-doping regulator, WADA, is very important. That is why the role of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) is important. Botswana is a great nation, you have good athletes, you have a good future and that good future has to be built on values. It is important for us as WADA to have partners here and strong anti-doping codes,” he said. Bańka said they welcome strong commitment by the Botswana government and willingness to work with WADA. “Together we can strengthen the system, together we can make a difference for the athletes. Athletes, you are the ambassadors of your country, when you win these medals, it should be in a clean way,” he said. Bańka said it is important for NSAs to work with the anti-doping office.
He said the role of WADA is not only to punish but to prevent doping and support the athletes. For his part, the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) president, Colonel Botsang Tshenyego, said Botswana has been a critical player in the anti-doping movement. “The government has been committed all along, allowing us as the BNOC, as an NGO to house and run the anti-doping programme in Botswana. It is not something we are taking lightly. We also appreciate that the government has been discussing for some time where they can house this establishment. It is an organisation that I believe will be in place soon,” Tshenyego said.
He said Bańka to have chosen Botswana amongst 200 countries is also telling about how critical a stakeholder the country is in the world of sport and global politics. Meanwhile, Tshenyego said the Minister of Youth, Sport, Gender and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, continues to show support towards the BNOC that is the current custodian of anti-doping. “We are with you in trying to ensure that the mandate goes to the proper and appropriate establishment as an independent entity,” Tshenyego said.
