EPHRAIM SERRETTE, president of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA), has come out in support of the new National Anti-Doping Organisation which will make local athletes subject themselves to mandatory drug testing.
The Anti-Doping in Sport Bill 2012 is expected to be laid in Parliament soon, upon its approval by the Cabinet sub-committee in charge of scrutinising proposed legislation, the Legislation Review Committee.
The bill will propose that Trinidad and Tobago formally adopt the World Anti-Doping Code and the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Convention on Anti-Doping in Sport.
On Saturday, it was revealed that TT Olympic sprinter Semoy Hackett was tested positive for a second time for the use of a banned stimulant Methylhexaneamine while competing for the Louisiana State University (LSU) at the 2012 NCAA Team Championship.
In a brief interview yesterday, Serrette said the NAAA facilitates mandatory testing at all championships and he will be fully supportive of the Anti-Doping Bill.
Serrette, a former national sprinter, noted that the NAAA will also go beyond the call to set aside funding for athlete testing. “We just cannot condone having drug cheats in the sport. We see it as wrong and we will support that bill” Serrette explained.
And NAAA secretary Allan Baboolal pointed out, “the NAAA don’t have any news officially from the NCAA neither the LSU. We have written them a letter asking for an explanation or some type of information.”
“We have not have that, and that’s all that we could say at the moment,” he added.
The LSU women’s track and field team will have to vacate the team title it won at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championship.
According to the release by LSU, methylhexaneamine is commonly found in over-the-counter nutritional supplements, but is one of the substances that has been banned by the NCAA.
“It’s unfortunate the team will be required to vacate the NCAA Championship due to the actions of one individual, but we will certainly comply with the NCAA’s instructions in this matter,” LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver was quoted as saying.
LSU’s vice chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva stated, “while we are disappointed as a University, we respect the decision of the NCAA in this matter.” Hackett, who was tested positive during the NCAA championships apologised for letting her team down.
“I’ve been informed I tested positive for a banned stimulant at the NCAA Championships last year, which has resulted in the LSU team vacating the NCAA Championship,” Hackett said.
“I want to express my apologies to my coaches, my teammates, LSU and our fans. Although this was unintentional, I’m deeply sorry this will have such a negative impact on my team and LSU.”
Source: www.newsday.co.tt