Ugandan athletes to undergo doping tests

 

 

 

Starting this Saturday at the National Cross Country Championships, the Uganda Athletics Federation will conduct in-competition anti-doping tests for athletes likely to represent the country at the World Cross Country Championships slated for March 30 in Aarhus Denmark.

 

The IAAF has categorised countries in groups A, B, and C in descending order from highest to lowest doping risk. Uganda has been categorised in Group B, according to the IAAF classification of doping risk countries because it harbours some world-class athletes.

 

"UAF will soon undertake measures which include the creation of a national testing pool for potential qualifiers for the World Athletics Series, Olympics, carry out anti-doping education for the athletes and mobilisation of resources to implement the anti-doping programme because of the huge financial implications," the UAF publicity secretary Namayo Mawerere said.

 

This rule came into effect on January 1 and must be adhered to by UAF. If by chance the UAF fails to adhere to this rule there will be unnecessary financial implications incurred because they will be held responsible for any doping violation from their athletes.