Gambia hosts successful anti-doping meeting as President Barrow reaffirms commitment to clean sports

The Gambia played a pivotal role in promoting clean sports as it successfully hosted the Inter-regional African Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sports at the International Conference Centre.

Representatives from various sub-regions gathered for the meeting to discuss strategies for implementing sports governance that protects athletes’ integrity and ensures that prohibited substances are kept out of competitive sports.

In a notable show of support for the cause, President Adama Barrow received a delegation of ministers and representatives from the meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The delegation updated the President on the outcomes of the event and the significant agenda that had been discussed.

On behalf of the government and people of The Gambia, President Barrow expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the delegates for choosing the country as the host for such an important event. He emphasized that sports are not only integral to national unity and cohesion but also play a crucial role in economic development.

“Sports is an essential tool in promoting unity, peace, and national development. It fosters a sense of belonging and pride among the people. As a government, we remain committed to advancing sports, and we are proud to support initiatives like this that uphold the integrity of athletes and the sport itself,” said President Barrow.

The Gambia is one of the 192 countries that are signatories to the anti-doping convention, and the President assured the delegates of his administration’s continued commitment to safeguarding the ethics of sports. He stressed that achieving success in sports is impossible without effective policies in place to protect athletes from doping.

Bakary Y. Badjie, the Minister for Youth and Sports, also expressed his gratitude to the President for his support in enhancing sports development within The Gambia. He emphasized the importance of drug testing across all levels of sport, stating that failure to address doping not only results in lost athletes but also tarnishes the reputation of the sport.

“Without comprehensive drug testing and safeguarding measures, we risk losing both athletes and accolades in international competitions due to performance-enhancing drugs. We must prioritize the integrity of our sports systems, and this initiative is an important step forward,” said Minister Badjie.

The meeting was attended by ministers from various African sub-regions, who took the opportunity to thank President Barrow for his visionary leadership in promoting the anti-doping agenda. They also recognized his dedication to ensuring that African nations remain steadfast in their commitment to clean sports.