Nigeria now sends samples of athletes’ blood and urine to Qatar for analysis after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspended South Africa’s Bloemfontein Anti-Doping Laboratory.
The sole recognized laboratory in Africa is located in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
In a statement, WADA stated that it had suspended the Bloemfontein laboratory’s certification in South Africa as of March 1, 2024, citing “multiple non-compliances” with international standards. There is a maximum six-month suspension.
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The Bloemfontein laboratory had already been placed under some restrictions in September last year, while other anti-doping activities were allowed to continue. However, WADA said that experts had advised the agency to suspend the facility’s accreditation due to “multiple non-conformities with the International Standard for Laboratories.”
WADA said the Bloemfontein laboratory had accepted the suspension, which came into effect on March 1. A source close to the Nigeria Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), told The Guardian, yesterday, that there is no cause to worry about the suspension placed on the South Africa’s Bloemfontein Anti-Doping Laboratory.
“NADO is aware of the suspension placed on Bloemfontein laboratory in South Africa,” the source said. “For now, Nigeria is making use of the equipment in Qatar, which I think is even faster because there are several flights leaving Nigeria on a daily basis for Qatar. We have Qatar airlines in Lagos, Abuja and other airports in Nigeria, and this makes NADO’s job easier, unlike the South Africa route.
“But the problem WADO is facing now is that the laboratory in Qatar does not accept credit facilities unlike in South Africa. What that means is that there must be availability of funds from the Federal Government for WADO to fight this anti-doping war and escape the wrath of WADA.
“Nigeria is already on WADA’s radar following its threat to ban Nigeria’s flag at Olympic Games and other major competitions. The government must play an active role in ensuring that funds are available for NADO to conduct and complete frequent analyses of blood and urine tests on the athletes. Nigeria must not wait for a major competition period before carrying out these tests. That was what the government of Jamaica did some years ago when WADA’s searchlight was beamed on the country, and it saved them from international embarrassment,” the source stated.
With the exception of tests linked to the haematology module of the Athlete Biological Passport, South Africa’s laboratory is prohibited from conducting any anti-doping activity, including the analysis of urine and blood samples, according to a statement released by WADA.
