At a seminar this morning, organised by the National Anti-Doping Organisation, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, Stefan Buontempo, stated that sports organisations should sustain the National Anti-Doping Organisation.

This organisation is tasked with combating any malpractice in sport and therefore it is imperative that it is equipped with the right resources to keep sports clean and fair.

Dr Buontempo added that a study in 2012 concluded that there is very little awareness of the substances on the ‘Prohibited List-International Standard’. The government will embark on an awareness campaign aimed especially at athletes and children, he said.

The message of this campaign will be a message of fair play and the long-term effects of doping on athletes’ health and reputation. 

Dr Buontempo said that doping ruins all that can be achieved by the human being through intense training, preparation and effort, apart from the bad affects it leaves on the health of athletes.

“It defeats the purpose and enjoyment of competitive sport; the end result is important, but what is even more significant is the performance of the athlete and the sheer beauty of human effort.

“Using performance-enhancing drugs kills the spirit of sport, ruins competition and defeats opportunity,” Dr Buontempo said.

The seminar was also addressed by Lucienne Attard, chairperson of the National Anti-Doping Commission who explained in detail what the struggle against doping entails.

Jonathan Barbara, Chairman of the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport said that sports should be a positive and enriching force in our lives, engendering passion and pride. He said that the KMS will keep on working with NADO so its goals will be reached.