Entire Jamaica Anti Doping Commission Board Resigns
A new board will have to be empanelled to carry forward the anti-doping efforts of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission after Minister with Responsibility for Sports, Natalie Neita Headley revealed the entire Board of Commissioners has resigned effective December 31, 2013.
The decision taken by the Commissioners in the national interest is in order to facilitate the restructuring of JADCO.
Minister Neita Headley also revealed that the resignations have been accepted by the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, “Quite recently, JADCO’s Commissioners met and acknowledged that there is a public perception of the existence of conflicts of interests among some of the members of the Commission”.
“The Commissioners have taken a decision, in the national interest and in order to facilitate the re-structuring of JADCO, to tender their resignations which will take effect on December 31, 2013. The Prime Minister respects the decision of the Commissioners and has accepted their resignations”.
“I wish to express thanks on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to those Commissioners who gave tirelessly of their time and effort over the last two years”.
“The Office of the Prime Minister has also commenced a review of the current Anti-doping Legislation with a view to strengthening the Act and ensuring it is in keeping with best practices and the WADA Code”.
The Minister also revealed that on November 30 “six additional persons will undergo training to serve as Doping Control Officers and Blood Control Officers”.
“As part of his immediate orientation, the new Executive Director, Mr. Brown has commenced the process of conducting a thorough assessment of the needs of JADCO at all levels”.
The Minister who is just returning from the WADA Conference on Doping in Sports underlined the Government of Jamaica was relentless in its commitment to integrity in sport and will do its part for the maintenance of a doping free sporting environment.
According to Minister Neita Headley “Jamaica remains committed to fully addressing any deficiencies that may exist in the operations of JADCO and its programme and in supporting and maintaining a dope-free sporting environment”.
“We appreciate the efforts of the various International Sports Federations, particularly the IAAF, which have consistently conducted doping tests on our athletes in Jamaica and abroad”.
She also went on to add “it was heartening to note recent public comments by the President of the IAAF, Mr. Lamine Diack, reinforcing the fact that Jamaican athletes are among the most tested athletes in and out of competition in the world”.
One of the highlights of the WADA Conference was the ratification of new anti-doping rules to strengthen the ability of the governing body and the various anti-doping organizations in preserving integrity in sport and protecting clean athletes.
Jamaica, the Minister added, gave its full support for the proposed revisions to the WADA Code, which is expected to become effective in January 2015.
She also reiterated “At no time has WADA ever deemed Jamaica or JADCO to be non-compliant. At no time has WADA threatened to bar Jamaica or Jamaican athletes from participating in any international event — Olympic Games, World Championship or the like”.
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