Anti-Doping

Anti-Doping

Ghana Badminton enforces a stringent Anti-Doping Policy in line BWF Anti Doping Policy that adheres to guidelines recommended by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean.

We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with National Anti-Doping Committee, Ghana (NADCGh) and the BWF to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected.

Ghana Badminton has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.

The anti-doping rules of Ghana Badminton are the rules published by Ghana Anti-Doping (or its successor) and BWF as amended from time to time.

If you are a member of Ghana Badminton then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at.

The WADA Prohibited List and Methods 2023 has been published and is available on the BWF website (linked here). This will come into force on 1 January 2023. The Prohibited List is updated every year and it comes into effect on 1 January each year. This list details the substances and methods which are prohibited for athletes. Substances and methods are classified by categories in the list, for example – steroids, stimulants, masking agents. Some substances and methods are prohibited in-competition, and others are prohibited at all times, both in-competition and out-of-competition. Some substances are prohibited for particular sports. Athletes are responsible for everything they eat, drink and take. This is “known as strict liability”. The Prohibited List identifies which substances and methods are prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and within specific sports. All Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel are advised to familiarize themselves with the new changes in advance of them coming into effect on 1 January 2023. BWF has also published a summary of the major changes on the BWF website. This can also be viewed by clicking here.https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/integrity/anti-doping-overview/

From 1 January 2023, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.

For more information on the changes within the 2023 Code, click here.

Under the 2023 Code, an athlete may be classified as being ‘International-Level’, ‘National-Level’ or a ‘Recreational Athlete’ based on their competition level.

Further information on these different categories is available on the WADA website.

  • Update the Anti-Doping page of the Ghana Badminton website.
  • Clean Games and Clean Sport Antidoping education completed for the team before Birmingham Games
  • Antidoping Education Strategy has been developed
  • Communication of antidoping issues incorporated into the annual comms plans
  • All Ghana Badminton members, clubs and licensed coaches and officials including staff agree to our Anti-Doping policy when they create an account with Ghana Badminton
  • We continue to work with NADCGh to better ourselves and to keep the sport of Badminton at the highest standard that our participants have come to expect.

Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, visit the BWF Website on Anti Doping.

NADCGh always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from banned substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.

Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit Informed Sport to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on the WADA Supplement Hub Page.

If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the WADA website and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.

Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit Informed Sport to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on the WADA Supplement Hub Page.

An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on WADA Website.

All banned substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. Substances and methods can be added to the Prohibited List at any time; however, it is updated as a minimum once a year, coming into effect on 1 January. The latest Prohibited List can be found on the WADA website.

As this list is updated frequently, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it regularly for any changes. More information can be found on the WADA website.

Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any banned substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit the WADA website.

100% me will be Ghana Badminton’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.

Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part – athletes, coaches, or parents – whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong – no matter how small.

Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Alert your team Manager immediately as well

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