Jamaica increases funding for drug testing of athletes

Kingston (Jamaica), June 7 (IANS/CMC) The Jamaican government has signalled its commitment to the world-wide fight against doping in sports by announcing a 16 million Jamaican dollar budget for drug testing of athletes and says the figure represents a significant increase.

The money, a 14 percent hike, will be used by the Jamaica Anti-doping Commission (JADCO) to conduct in and out of competition testing and public education programmes, Natalie Neita Headley, minister with responsibility for sports said.

"We will continue to implement measures, through JADCO and other related agencies, that will foster dope-free sport at all levels," said Headley while making her contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives Thursday.

The Sport Minister said that since last year, the government has almost tripled the budgetary support to JADCO to guarantee the integrity of Jamaica's anti-doping system.

The increase in allocation allowed the commission to increase the number of tests conducted in the 2012/13 financial year by 110 percent over the previous year, the Minister said.

"The Government supports the principle that sport is the expression of one's true self and the realisation of one's own unique natural potential," said Neita Headley.

"Being successful in sport requires the right attitude, practice, time and effort. The giving of one's best is good enough."

--IANS/CMC

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