BADC Chairman Lightbourne Appoints Education And Training Committee

Wed, Dec 5th 2012, 09:43 AM

The Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission (BADC) has accelerated its focus on education and training. Recently, BADC Chairman Dr. Jerome Lightbourne appointed an Education and Training Committee that was approved unanimously. Members of the committee are Roscoe Davies, Frederick Sturrup, Pauline Davis-Thompson and Dr. Locksley Munroe. The commissioners will work closely with consultant Dr. Patti Symonette. Following its first meeting, the committee presented a report to the commission, which was tabled and approved. The report concentrated on the primary objectives of the committee, namely 'Community Outreach', 'Education and Training', 'Clean Sports Program' and 'Social Science Research'.

Community outreach

The BADC will provide exhibit booths with educational materials and training resources at federation and national association sports events. Federations/associations will be asked to provide a calendar of their events. This will enable the committee to identify and provide important educational opportunities for young athletes and trainers about anti-doping in sports. Also, it will provide an opportunity to bring awareness to the wider community by way of one-on-one talks and disseminating of information on clean sports and nutrition for athletes.

The BADC will provide support to the Special Olympics committee so that persons who assist athletes with disabilities will have the benefit of relevant and current information about anti-doping in sports. Resource persons will be identified and targeted to assist the committee in its education and training activities, for example sports leaders and coordinators and the commission's Doping Control Officers (DCOs).

Education and Training

Dates and times are being set for the following training activities: Presentation to the athletes and officials of the Rugby Union by Dr. Patti Symonette; presentation to the administrators, coaches and support persons from the Ministry of Education schools in Grand Bahama along with other interested parties; and a meeting with sports medicine physicians and practitioners to explore the role that they might play in support of the initiatives of the Education and Training Committee.

Clean Sports Program

Support for the implementation of this approved program will be a priority of the committee. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has identified the schools as a key strategy in their educational initiatives and has begun work on their 'True Sports in Schools Program'. Anti-doping ambassador Gregory Burrows Jr. will be called on to engage in educational forums geared to emphasize the BADC's 'Clean Sports' motto to young athletes throughout The Bahamas.

Social Science Research

In keeping with BADC's and WADA's strategic objectives as it relates to scientific research programs, the committee proposes to offer opportunities for students at the College of The Bahamas (COB) and University of the West Indies (UWI) medical school students studying in The Bahamas to receive Social Science Research grants for investigations into specific aspects of anti-doping in sports.

This level of research would also support WADA's recognition of a need in promoting research in less developed areas (including Africa, Asia and Latin America) particularly in view of the upcoming major sporting events in the region including 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2016 Olympic Games and the Special Olympics. Funding from WADA and other agencies can be explored. The Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission looks forward to working closely with all national sporting bodies and relevant government ministries.

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