Africa-Press – Angola. The Law on Anti-Doping in Sports, approved in March 2024, is being discussed again (23), in general, by the Plenary of the National Assembly, as there has been some misalignment between what is foreseen in the legislation and what is required in international regulations.
The diploma was requested in an urgent process, by the Holder of the Executive Branch, in order to make a slight adjustment to misalignments that could lead to international sanctions, including the exclusion of national athletes from international competitions and the loss of opportunities for sporting events of international character.
The amendment to the Law aims to align national legislation with international standards applicable to the matter, especially with the World Anti-Doping Code and the standards of the International Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The proposal also aims to adjust to the national social, cultural and sporting reality, as well as harmonize it with the International Convention against Doping in Sport and the World Anti-Doping Code.
With the approval of the diploma, the Executive wants to continue promoting and conducting cultural and moral education of citizens, protecting the health of athletes, support staff and other sports agents, through the fight against the use of prohibited substances and methods or violation of anti-doping rules in sport.
The Proposed Law also aims to contribute to the education and training of athletes and other sports agents, in relation to the fight against doping in sport.
The document contains, among other matters, the prohibition of doping, the practitioner’s responsibilities, the list of prohibited substances and methods, control access during and outside sporting competitions and the athlete’s medical treatment.
Angola misses deadlines
The Angolan Olympic Committee (COA) was suspended by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), for failing to meet deadlines to adapt the sports law to the statutes of that international organization.
With this suspension, the Angolan flag will not be able to be raised in international competitions, in addition to the COA being prevented from hosting or organizing any events and its representatives being ineligible for positions in the AMA.
This decision will remain in force until the Angolan Sports Law is in compliance with the statutes of the umbrella anti-doping organization, which will then have to reintegrate the COA, which functions as the national anti-doping organization in Angola.
Everything happens just a few months before the Paris2024 Olympic Games, for which Angola has already secured qualification in handball, in women’s seniors, rowing, with athlete André Matias, and canoeing, with Manuel António and Benilson Sanda.
In the document, the world body explained that on September 22, 2023, it issued a statement reporting the non-conformities on the part of Angola, giving another four months to change them, without these corrections having taken place.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
