Fiji is fortunate that the World Anti-Doping Agency has not barred it from competing in or hosting international sports due to noncompliance. Fiji’s performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics elevated us to a new height in the eyes of WADA. At that higher level, Fiji was required to have its own anti-doping agency and adhere to WADA regulations;
preparations for this were initiated in 2017. Peter Mazey, the chief executive of the Fiji Sports Commission, claims that WADA was displeased with the lack of an anti-doping program that would have established a national organization when the Fiji 7s team and Fijiana won gold and bronze medals at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
You cannot attend or host foreign events. We were at risk of losing the ability to host, and keep in mind that this includes Drua Games, which is an international event that we are really enthusiastic about, so that is a major concern.”
There were too many delays, but Mazey is grateful that when the new administration entered office, Minister for Sports Jese Saukuru took everything on board after receiving stern warnings from WADA, who also provided a deadline for Fiji to work within.
The National Anti-Doping Policy will now be prepared for tabling in Parliament after Cabinet approved the draft Bill last month.
During the National Sports Conference last week, the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights got some feedback from participants in the consultation. The Committee, consisting of Sashi Kiran, Moses Bulitavu, Chair Rakuita Vakalalabure, and Faiyaz Koya, heard the thoughts, recommendations, and opinions of sports administrators and coaches such as Albert Miller, Cathy Wong, Henry Elder, Vivian Koster, Makarita Lenoa, Vanessa Kilner, and others. The National Anti-Doping Policy, which was adopted by Cabinet in 2023, emphasised the importance of establishing a National Anti-Doping Organisation with primary roles and responsibilities to promote clean sport, combat doping, and ensure compliance with international anti-doping standards.
The Bill is expected to be passed in Parliament next month.
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