The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has taken another step to improve the relationship with its stakeholders by focusing on forging better partnerships at its fifth annual JADCO Symposium. The event was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC) in Kingston on Thursday, January 24, 2019 under the theme, “Keeping Sport Clean, Forging Better Partnerships”.
Speaking at the event, Keynote Speaker at the symposium, Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, The Honourable Olivia Grange said, “It is my understanding that the relationship between JADCO and our athletes continues to improve. This is after all, very important. It is wonderful news. This improvement may very well stem from the fact that athletes are becoming more accepting of the fact that it is not JADCO’s intention to harass any athlete or to make life hard for anyone, but rather to maintain sporting integrity.” She further added, “The Government in demonstrating its commitment to clean sport and the ideals of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, through my Ministry, will be setting up a National Anti-Doping Compliance Committee. The National Anti-Doping Compliance Committee will be geared toward providing a coordinated multi-sectoral approach to ensure that the government honours its commitment to our international partners but also importantly, to our national treasures, our athletes.”
Also speaking at the symposium, Chairman of JADCO, Alexander Williams said, “It is important for you to note that the goal to keep sport clean cannot be achieved solely by JADCO. Therefore, our mission here today is to sensitise you, so that you too can understand our mandate and play your part in sharing the information you receive with athletes and other support personnel.
As a Commission, we constantly strive to serve you better and recently we have been making significant strides to improve our relationship with our partners. As a result, we have been conducting courtesy calls to sporting federations, associations and professional groups and today this dialogue will continue.”
Director at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), Raymond Anderson said, “I will go back to my board and advise them of all the important things that JADCO is doing. When you look at the volume of information that I have received, I now can say to my board that we need to assist in dispensing information on anti-doping.”
Also speaking at the symposium, Head of School for the Caribbean School of Sport Sciences at the University of Technology, Jamaica Dr. Donna-Marie Wynter-Adams, said, “From this symposium I see where we need to modify the curriculum for pharmacology to make sure that the doctors understand the prohibited substances and methods.” She further added, “JADCO keep on doing what you are doing, the Commission is getting the information out and I really value that. I hope the athletes do not see you as the policeman, but see that you are trying to help them.”
A wide cross section of athlete support personnel attended the symposium, including members of sporting associations and federations, professional groups, school principals, coaches and sport administrators. The symposium included presentations on the functions and responsibilities of JADCO and the doping control process. JADCO’s Executive Director, June Spence-Jarrett led the afternoon session which consisted of a presentation on Keeping Sport Clean, Forging Better Partnerships and a plenary discussion highlighting steps JADCO can take to improve its relationship with stakeholders. The next JADCO Symposium will be held during January 2020.
