WADA President Witold Banka Meets with Zimbabwean Stakeholders to Strengthen Anti-Doping

Witold Banka, the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, has concluded a successful visit to Zimbabwe, where he held very useful discussions with various stakeholders within the sports industry. The meetings focused on enhancing anti-doping regulations, especially the Sport Integrity Bill currently being drafted by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

During the four-day visit, Banka met with representatives from the Ministry, Sports and Recreation Commission, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, National Anti-Doping Coordinating Committee, athletes, and other key stakeholders. The discussions were on the strengthening of the anti-doping system in Zimbabwe, Africa, and globally.

The Sport Integrity Bill, expected to be tabled in Parliament this year, aims to  address doping, match-fixing, and good governance in sports. Banka emphasised the need for robust anti-doping regulations and announced WADA’s commitment to assisting in fine-tuning the Bill.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture offices in Harare yesterday, Banka said it was important that strong anti-doping regulations were put in place, and they had offered their assistance towards the Bill.

“We had very fruitful discussions with all stakeholders, important people responsible for sport and anti-doping in Zimbabwe.

“Yesterday (Sunday), we had a meeting with representatives of the anti-doping commission, National Olympic Committee, and most importantly, athletes, because everything that we are doing is for the athletes.

“So, with the athletes’ groups, we discussed many important things. How we can work together; how we can strengthen the anti-doping system not only in Zimbabwe but in Africa and, in general, on the continent. 

“Under the leadership of Madam Minister (Coventry), Zimbabwe plays an  extremely important role in the sporting ecosystem on the continent. 

“So, it’s very important from our side that we have a strong partnership and a very good relationship. Yesterday we discussed the Integrity Bill and how WADA can assist with this process.

“For us, it’s very important that in this, we are going to have strong anti-doping regulations. So of course we offered our assistance and we are going to work together to make sure that this Bill is implemented and will serve all of us.”

Banka said the meeting also provided a platform to share information and get input from the different stakeholders as they are currently reviewing the WADA code.

“We discussed with the athletes the anti-doping policy. What WADA can do more for them, how we can strengthen the anti-doping regulations, processes, and policies, and how important is education in our vision for the future.

“Currently, we are under the revision of our WADA anti-doping code. So this is a very important process because we ask our stakeholders to contribute to the information, and the revision of how we can strengthen the anti-doping policies.

“So the voice of the athletes and representatives of the Olympic Committee and Commission is very important for us to make sure that the code is fit for purpose and it’s working well, and that it serves well on athletes,” he added.

Banka was accompanied by Rafal Piechota and Rodney Swigelaar, who is WADA Africa’s representative.

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The Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Coventry, acknowledged the importance of the contributions that Zimbabwe makes towards the whole sporting ecosystem in Africa and appreciated WADA’s partnership. There was confidence in the draft Bill; stakeholder input was welcome to further strengthen it.

Among the dignitaries who attended these events were Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya, Permanent Secretary Nicholas Moyo, and delegations from the Sports and Recreation Commission, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, and the National Anti-Doping Coordinating Committee.