Don't be a dope!
Globally, doping is much more prevalent among junior athletes, as they do not get tested as often as senior athletes.
Namibian athletes from all 14 regions have been warned not to violate doping rules ahead of the eighth edition of the Africa Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Under-20 Games, which will take place in Gaborone, Botswana from 7 to 16 December.
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) doping consultant officer Jason Snyders, as well as the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) advised athletes at a send-off media conference last Thursday to refrain from doping, as it might spoil their chances of picking up any medals.
Snyders said doping is much more prevalent among junior athletes, as they do not get tested as often as senior athletes.
“Young athletes are not tested for doping regularly like the seniors, which gives them the opportunity to dope and make them the group with a high number of dopers.
“Doping is bad; it causes hormonal imbalances and heart and kidney failure, so we urge them to stay away from it.
“The substances which they get hold of are mostly bought by their parents, because they want to see their children win, but this is shunned upon,” Snyders stressed.
He further encouraged the athletes and coaches to make an effort and learn which substances are banned, and to take steps to stay on the right side of the law.
At present Namibia does not have a doping control board, so Snyders works under the Regional African Doping Association to facilitate awareness programmes in the country.
Sports minister Erastus Uutoni, who encouraged the athletes to work hard and return with medals,
said that monetary rewards are available if they make the nation proud.
Director of sport Sivhute Katamba told the team they are ambassadors and should carry themselves as such. “We don't want to hear unnecessary stories while you are in Botswana. Compete and behave.”
Katamba said companies should invest in local athletes, as well as the sporting fraternity.
The bulk of the athletes were selected from the first-ever National Youth Games that took place in May.
The AUSC games, which are held biennially on a rotational basis, were last held in Angola in 2016,
Team Namibia comprises of 145 athletes from 10 sporting codes: athletics (including visually impaired athletes), basketball, boxing, football, judo, netball, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
The team left the country yesterday.
Other countries participating at the games are hosts Botswana, Angola, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) doping consultant officer Jason Snyders, as well as the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) advised athletes at a send-off media conference last Thursday to refrain from doping, as it might spoil their chances of picking up any medals.
Snyders said doping is much more prevalent among junior athletes, as they do not get tested as often as senior athletes.
“Young athletes are not tested for doping regularly like the seniors, which gives them the opportunity to dope and make them the group with a high number of dopers.
“Doping is bad; it causes hormonal imbalances and heart and kidney failure, so we urge them to stay away from it.
“The substances which they get hold of are mostly bought by their parents, because they want to see their children win, but this is shunned upon,” Snyders stressed.
He further encouraged the athletes and coaches to make an effort and learn which substances are banned, and to take steps to stay on the right side of the law.
At present Namibia does not have a doping control board, so Snyders works under the Regional African Doping Association to facilitate awareness programmes in the country.
Sports minister Erastus Uutoni, who encouraged the athletes to work hard and return with medals,
said that monetary rewards are available if they make the nation proud.
Director of sport Sivhute Katamba told the team they are ambassadors and should carry themselves as such. “We don't want to hear unnecessary stories while you are in Botswana. Compete and behave.”
Katamba said companies should invest in local athletes, as well as the sporting fraternity.
The bulk of the athletes were selected from the first-ever National Youth Games that took place in May.
The AUSC games, which are held biennially on a rotational basis, were last held in Angola in 2016,
Team Namibia comprises of 145 athletes from 10 sporting codes: athletics (including visually impaired athletes), basketball, boxing, football, judo, netball, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
The team left the country yesterday.
Other countries participating at the games are hosts Botswana, Angola, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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