 Sports Director Norbert Simons IslandStats.com
On Thursday, April 1, 2010 the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports, the anti doping origination in Bermuda, released the names of five(5) National Sports governing Bodies in Bermuda that were not compliant with World Anti Doping Association or (WADA). They were Tennis, Boxing, Martial Arts, Target Shooting and Archery.
On Monday, April 5, 2010 these national sports governing bodies were requested to attend a meeting at the Department of Youth, Sports and Recreation to address their present situation as it related to the world Anti- Doping Association regulations.
Simons said, “It is vital, that we in Bermuda understand the magnitude of this situation. Should Bermuda be discovered as a country that is not compliant with WADA regulations, it would have a major impact on what Bermudian athletes can and cannot do worldwide. It would also have a major impact on what we as a country could host locally, for example we would not be able to host international events such as the International Race Weekend, the Gold Cup sailing event, the rugby classic and the PGA of America Golf tournament”.
“To this end I am please to inform Bermuda that of the five NSGB’s that is not compliant, Boxing, Martial Arts and Target Shooting are working diligently to correct their situation. The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association within one week was able to fulfill their requirements and is now compliant. The only Association we have yet to make contact with is the Bermuda Archery Federation,” continued Simons.
Simons went on to say, “At present Boxing, Martial Arts, Target Shooting and Archery are not able to receive any funding from our department, and they will not be able to use any of the Departments sporting or recreational facilities for training. Should these organizations fail to fulfill the requirements established by the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports, by Friday, April 30, 2010 our department will have no option but to inform their International Association and request that they be stripped of their National Association Status. They would then be removed from our list as a National Association in Bermuda. We would also instruct the Bermuda Olympic Association to remove them from their list and this would affect their athlete ability to compete international”.
“Should the Association inform us prior to the set date, that there are individuals or individual groups that are preventing them from becoming compliant, they have the right to remove them from their Association. They will also inform their international Association that these groups or persons are not members of the National Association in Bermuda and should not be allow to participating in any international event,” continued Simons.
“It is our hope that all the NSGB’s in question will be compliant and fulfill the requirements set in place by the BCDS by the established date,” concluded Simons.
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