One condition set by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) before the start of the 2016/17 season is subjecting all players to anti-doping tests.
This has been set as a prerequisite by FUFA in line with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) to have ‘clean’ and healthy footballers.
FIFA and Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) medical committee official, Dr. James Ssekajugo told the media at FUFA House on Wednesday that the tests will be conducted on the players before the season commences.
Ssekajugo, who was flanked by another medical doctor, Robert Zavuga (also the chairperson of the national anti-doping committee in Uganda) and the FUFA Technical Director, Edgar Watson noted;
We are subjecting the players to anti-doping tests in line with the FIFA and WADA rules. We shall check banned substances in the blood, urine and saliva of the players.
We have partnered with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) together with the Uganda Olympics Committee (UOC) to get the equipment and technically qualified persons to run the campaign
Watson said the system will not discriminate all forms of football – Futsal, Beach Soccer, Football, Women Football and at all levels of football.
Whether 4th Division, Regional, Big League or at the top most levels of football in the region, the regulation covers all levels of the game
Zavuga hinted on the main call for anti-doping;
The reason for anti-doping activities is to make football more enjoyable by upholding and preserving the ethics of football by protecting the physical and mental health of players and ensuring equal and fair play
Successful players will then be granted the green light to play as those found guilty shall face the law.
