The Gambia’s sports minister Bakary Y. Badjie has called for an inclusive fight against doping which continues to wreak havoc in the modern day sporting world.

Badjie made the call during an inter-ministerial meeting held under the banner ‘enhancing Africa’s sports governance, fostering inter-regional cooperation and convergence for sport values, ethics and integrity’ in Banjul. The meeting is attended by some African sports ministers.

In his remark, Badjie welcomed the ongoing meeting in Banjul as a ‘key milestone in the history of sports in The Gambia’, which reinforces the strong commitment in The Gambian government to promote ethical sports both in terms of practice, management, and overall governance in The Gambia.

“This meeting presents us a unique opportunity to engage in a much needed dialogue in addressing the challenges faced by the effects of doping in sports. This is a menace not just in the African continent but all over the world,” he said.

“It’s a global phenomenon that has hindered the development of sports and the advancement of our athletes who on an occasional basis are coerced into using drugs as a way of enhancing their strength. In acknowledgement of our shared vision and common goal to strengthen sports governance is heavily dependent on the ability to take action against doping,” he added.

By Adama Makasuba