RADO Newsletter features the SKNFA’s Anti-doping initiative.

The St. Kitts & Nevis Football Association in collaboration with the UNESCO Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport, the National Anti-Doping Committee of St. Kitts & Nevis, representatives from the St. Kitts & Nevis Olympic Committee and the Caribbean RADO completed a month of anti-doping awareness activities in November. The activities included a media launch, a church service, an anti-doping seminar for coaches of youth teams, youth football matches, simulated drug testing, culminating in a rally through the streets of Basseterre.
The importance of forging partnerships in the fight against doping was underscored as representatives from various government ministries attended the sessions. They included the Ministers of Sport & Health, a representative from Social Affairs and representatives from Olympic Committee.
The Caribbean RADO played a key role in launching the programme as Executive Director, Tessa Chaderton-Shaw journeyed to St. Kitts on two consecutive weekends to present at the launch and at the seminar. Our Doping Control Officers, Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin and Dr. Naudica Phillip, Results Management member, Lawyer Kurlyn Merchant and RADO Board Member Leroy Greene all presented creditably at the seminar. Former Board member and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin presented in his own inimitable style. The presentations were excellent and tailored to the participants and were all well received.
The SKNFA has taken the bold step to spread the anti-doping message in a vigorous attempt to curtail the use of illegal substances by its players. They have specifically targeted players 14 years and under so that the next generation of national players would have been sensitized to anti-doping awareness from an early age. They have also vowed to start in-competition testing in the upcoming season.
The National Anti-Doping Committee and the St. Kitts & Nevis Olympic Committee takes this opportunity to congratulate the SKNFA on this major endeavor and was pleased to work with them on this important national is-sue. We strongly encourage other associations to follow the FAs lead by joining the fight against the use of illegal substances and methods in sport