The Tribune

THE Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission and the Bahamas Cycling Federation on Friday, December 30, signed a historic agreement.

The BADC, established via the Bahamas Anti-Doping In Sports Act of 2009, recognizes the various national federations in the country as key partners as it projects its "Clean Sports" motto across the length and breadth of the country.

In general, signing of the agreement was the official acceptance of the BCF to ensure that its competitors are subject to dope tests. Prior to the coming on stream of the Commission, the Bahamas Olympic Committee was the National Anti--Doping Organization (NADO) so to an appreciable degree Bahamian athletes, particularly those who compete on the international stage, had an awareness of the dope testing culture.

Now, with a the BADC functioning as expected by the Government of The Bahamas and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) it is widely expected that the dope tests will expand throughout the local sporting landscape.

On Friday at the BADC Office in the Betty Kelly-Kenning Complex at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center, Deputy Chairman Fred Sturrup signed on behalf of chairman Dr Jerome Lightbourne. Representing the BADC also and applying his signature was General Secretary Roscow Davies.

BCF President Roy Colebrooke and Secretary Barron Musgrove also attached their signatures to the document.

"Congratulations to you, President Colebrooke and your organization. The Commission welcomes the partnership role you will play in the fight for fair competition in sports. This is a historic signing. Your group will always be able to stand on the fact that you signed first. Welcome aboard," said Sturrup.

"Yes, we are the first. We are proud that we took the initiative to make contact with the Commission to get the signing done. We thought that it was necessary to do this," said Colebrooke.

Earlier on, he confirmed the intention of the federation to carry out full responsibilities for the testing of the riders.

"We are aware that we have an obligation. The Commission will obviously take charge for covering some of the test. We know though that we are obligated in that regard for tests as well," acknowledged Colebrooke.

Accompanying Colebrooke and Musgrove for the signing were Assistant Secretary Shirley Mireault and Treasurer Keith Lloyd. Also representing the BADC were Treasurer/Managing Director Sam Haven and Legal Advisor Sterling Quant.

The signing of the agreement was significant as the BADC gears for its first Doping Control Officers (DCO) Training Seminar, scheduled for Breezes Superclub January 19-21. The BADC hopes to have the signings with other federations take place in the very near future.

At the Training Seminar, instructors from the United States Anti-Doping Agency will be present to work directly with the Bahamian DCO trainees. At this initial training event, trainees from New Providence and the Northern Bahamas will be present.

Eventually, the BADC will move into other areas of the country as it seeks to get a full national involvement to push the "Clean Sports" program.