JADCO welcomes passage of new Anti-Doping in Sport Bill

R Danny Williams, chairman of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), says that the commission welcomes the passage of the new Anti-Doping in Sport Bill.

The bill, which was passed in the Senate last week, repeals the Anti-Doping in Sport Act of 2008 and allows for the enactment of a new Anti-Doping in Sport Act, 2014.

“The Act clearly articulates the names and portfolio responsibilities of the four agencies under the Ministry of Sports which are associated with the conduct of athletes. It separates JADCO from the direct responsibilities of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel and the Anti-Doping Appeal Tribunal,” Williams said.

He pointed out that the passage of the Bill was most significant, as it places the Jamaican legislation in line with the revised World Anti-Doping Code, which comes into effect on January 1, 2015. The new Act will also allow the commission autonomy in its accounting procedures and sets clear guidelines for the appointment of executive members.

At a one-day board retreat on December 18, the commissioners reviewed the performance of JADCO over the past year and managers reported on the agency’s 2015 strategies.

“We are confident that, with a stronger staff complement in place, the commission will be better able to meet its education and testing programmes in 2015,” Williams affirmed.

He is calling on coaches and other athlete support personnel to assist JADCO by encouraging athletes to abide by the rules, especially as it regards submitting their whereabouts information, and to attend workshops in order to be fully aware of the anti-doping rules.

In that regard, Williams also commended the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) for its recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JADCO, which will result in members of the association making presentations about banned substances at workshops.

As the country’s national anti-doping organisation, JADCO continues to work toward fostering a dope-free sporting environment which promotes the ethics and spirit of sport through education, testing, advocacy and implementing an effective anti-doping programme in Jamaica.

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JADCO welcomes passage of new Anti-Doping in Sport Bill

Sport Diary - Oct 2

October 2-5 2014

TODAY

ISSA Rural Area high school’s netball

Zone A

Hopewell vs Mt Alvernia

Anchovy vs Rhodes Hall

Zone C

Manning’s vs Grange Hill

Belmont vs Green Island

Frome Tech vs Godfrey Stewart

ISSA/Lime daCosta Cup

Zone A

St James High vs Irwin- Jarrett Park

Zone D

Mannings vs Grange Hill

Black River vs Petersfield

FRIDAY

ISSA Rural Area high school’s netball

Zone B

Montego Bay vs Muschett

St James vs Herbert Morrison

SATURDAY

ISSA/Lime daCosta Cup

Zone A

Irwin vs Cornwall

St James vs Anchovy

Zone B

Merlene Ottey vs Green Island

Rusea’s vs Frome

Zone C

Muschett High vs Spot Valley

Herbert Morrison vs William Knibb

Zone D

Grange Hill vs Black River

Godfrey Stewart vs Mannings

SUNDAY

Red Stripe Premier League

Montego Bay United vs Sports Central at Wespow Park, 3:30pm

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Sport Diary - Oct 2

International sport briefs

Berbatov says Evra convinced him to join Monaco

MONACO, France (AFP) — Dimitar Berbatov said yesterday that a recommendation from his former Manchester United colleague Patrice Evra convinced him to join Monaco on loan at the end of the January transfer window.

The Bulgarian striker joined the club, who lie second in Ligue 1, on loan from Premier League strugglers Fulham until the end of the season to cover for Colombian star Radamel Falcao, who is out with a long-term knee injury.

The 33-year-old moves from a relegation battle in England to a title fight in France, with a meeting with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to come this weekend at the Stade Louis II.

“My friend Patrice Evra told me a lot of good things about the club. And when Monaco called me, I said why not. I was looking for something new,” said Berbatov, who played alongside the France left-back at Old Trafford between 2008 and 2012.

However, he said that the presence of enigmatic Italian coach Claudio Ranieri — another familiar face from his days in England — was also a factor in convincing him to make the switch to a new country.

Considered something of a maverick and known for his languid style, Berbatov, who has also played for Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur, believes his way of playing will help him be successful in the French game.

European giants for preseason US tour

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP) — Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan will play preseason games in the United States.

Inter Milan, AS Roma and Olympiakos also will be part of what is billed as the Guinness International Champions Cup, to be played from July 26 to August 4, with the final at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens.

Additional venues for the games include Arlington, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Denver; East Rutherford, New Jersey, and/or New York; Glendale, Arizona; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; and Washington. Two additional cities are to be announced February 20.

Some players may not be with their clubs because of the World Cup, which ends July 13.

Attack on Corinthians players sparks outrage

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — An attack by fans on players of top Brazilian club Corinthians has sparked outrage and promoted calls for a player strike, damaging the domestic image of the game five months before the World Cup.

“We are preparing documentation to provide legal support to players and are ready to strike -— we can’t go on like this,” Sao Paulo state player union chairman Rinaldo Martorelli told Estado de Sao Paulo daily.

Around 100 fans angry at the club’s poor recent form attacked Corinthians’ training centre as they prepared on Saturday for a state league match the following day.

The fans cut through wire netting to reach top stars including Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero, who scored the club’s winner in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup final.

Chairman Mario Gobbi was unwilling to cancel the match against Ponte Preta, citing league and broadcast agreements.

But the attack has sparked a storm amid reports several players now want to leave the club over fears for their safety.

Also attacked along with Guerrero was Alexandre Pato, an expensive signing from AC Milan, as the fans went on the rampage — one grabbing Guerrero around the neck while others tried to break Pato’s legs.

Ancelotti: Ronaldo will be available for Copa semis

MADRID, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be available for the Copa del Rey semi-final today despite the threat of a four-game ban.

Ronaldo was shown a straight red card in Sunday’s 1-1 Spanish league draw at Athletic Bilbao, leaving his availability for the semi-final against Atletico Madrid up in the air.

The Portugal forward made a mocking gesture as he left the field, which could result in a longer suspension with any ban of at least four games extending to all competitions. A decision is expected by today.

There is a precedent of adding two games to any initial ban for using the gesture, which mocks a slap to the cheek to suggest the referee has a lot of nerve.

The Italian coach says forward Gareth Bale will be available after being left out of the squad against Bilbao.

Bach slams politicians over Sochi Olympics

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — IOC President Thomas Bach has criticised politicians for attacking the Sochi Olympics “on the backs of the athletes”.

Bach has also slammed politicians who publicly snubbed the games even though they had not even been invited.

The International Olympic Committee leader spoke in a hard-hitting speech yesterday, three days before the opening of Russia’s first Winter Games.

The build-up to Sochi has been overshadowed by Western criticism of Russia’s record on human rights and the law against gay “propaganda” among minors.

Bach says sports should not be “used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests”.

President Barack Obama and key European leaders are shunning the games. Obama, in a key message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation made up of three openly gay athletes. The presidents of France and Germany also won’t be coming.

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International sport briefs

Maccabiah Games reinforce Jewish identity through sport

27 July 2013 Last updated at 19:13 ET By Bethany Bell, Jerusalem BBC News An easing of travel restrictions has allowed Cuban athletes to join the Maccabiah Games for the first time The Maccabiah Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, are taking place in Israel.

The contest, which takes place every four years, brings together Jewish athletes from around the world to take part in events from rugby to gymnastics, to cycling and rowing.

This year around 9,000 competitors from more than 70 countries are taking part in a competition that is as much about Jewish identity as sport.

This year, for the first time, a Cuban delegation is taking part – even though Cuba doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Israel. Sponsored by Jewish American donors, the players were helped by an easing on travel restrictions on groups leaving Havana. Rafael Gonzales, 24, who’s competing in archery, says he is proud to be in Israel.

“It is the first time Cuba is participating – it is very exciting,” he says. “It’s the best for us as athletes, as Jewish athletes.”

Continue reading the main story

It’s just fantastic as a Jewish athlete to meet other Jewish athletes from around the world”

End Quote David Letschert South African swimmer The first games, which were supported by early Zionist leaders, were held in 1932 when rising anti-Semitism in Europe made it hard for Jews to compete in big sporting events. At the second games in 1935, shortly after Hitler came to power, many athletes chose not to go back to Europe and settled here.

These days the games aim to encourage connections between Jews in the diaspora and Israel. The Chairman of the Maccabiah, Amir Peled, says the games try to bring Jews of all ages and nationalities together through sport.

“Sport is something that unites everybody,” he says. “If you come with the tool of sport, and add to it Jewish identity, add to it love for Israel, that’s the idea behind the Maccabiah.”

Age range

While winning is clearly important, many of the athletes agree that these games are as much about Jewish identity as elite sport.

The swimming races are a case in point, with a wide range of ages among the swimmers – the youngest are in their teens and the oldest in their 80s.

David Letschert, 42, a swimmer from South Africa, says the event is a big Jewish reunion.

“It’s just fantastic as a Jewish athlete to meet other Jewish athletes from around the world. I think it’s 75% socialising and 25% sport when you are a master swimmer and probably the other way around when you are a group swimmer.”

While a handful of Israeli Arabs take part in the games, this is an overwhelmingly Jewish event, something that the Israeli sports commentator Ron Kofman has criticised.

“If there is a sports event, everyone who wants to come should come,” Mr Kofman says. “It’s sport. There’s no room for religion or race in sports.”

But organisers say this is an opportunity to teach visitors from abroad about Israeli institutions – including the army.

And dating and matchmaking are also on the agenda. Amir Peled says the games offer plenty of chances for young and older Jews to get to know each other.

“Thousands of people are together. You meet Israelis and you meet people from other countries and if you get dates or marriages out of it, I can only be happy.”

Passionate cheering and the blast of vuvuzela – plastic horns – came from the stands as an Israeli girls’ football team took on South Africa, but despite the sporting rivalry, the organisers say strong Jewish links are forged on the pitch.

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Maccabiah Games reinforce Jewish identity through sport