Following the suspension placed on South Africa’s Bloemfontein Anti-Doping Laboratory by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Nigeria now take samples of blood and urine from athletes to Qatar for analysis.
South Africa’s Bloemfontein anti-doping laboratory is the only accredited laboratory in Africa.
WADA said in a statement that it suspended the accreditation of South Africa’s Bloemfontein laboratory from March 1, 2024, due to “multiple non-compliances” to meet international standards. The suspension is up to six months.
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.
The suspension of South Africa’s laboratory prohibits it from conducting any anti-doping activities, including the analysis of urine and blood samples, except analyses related to the haematology module of the Athlete Biological Passport,” WADA said in a statement.
