Strategic Plan of the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission

The function of the Commission is to facilitate the control and prevention of doping in sports, including:

• Implementing the policies and programs of the Government against doping in sports;
• Doing all things necessary to comply with and implement the Articles of the Anti-Doping Code.
• Make rules for controlling the occurrence of doping in Sports.

The basic framework for the Commission’s work is “to protect the athletes’ fundamental right to participate in doping-free sport and thus promote health, fairness and equality for athletes nationwide.” Additionally, the current environment and emerging trends in the areas of education, science, medicine, international trafficking of doping substances, and investigations as well as WADA’s governance and operational activities provide the context for the objectives and strategies of the Commission.

The Commission’s focus should be on eight Strategic Objectives:

• Provide leadership on current and emerging issues and in the communication of effective strategies and programs in the campaign against doping in sports.
• Achieve compliance with the code by all Sports Organizations and Federations.
• Generate national involvement of public authorities and leaders in the campaign against doping in sports.
• Promote a national framework for education programs that instill the values of doping-free sport.
• Promote national awareness of the health risks of doping so that stakeholders (athletes, coaches, parents, etc.), including medical practitioners, use that knowledge in their interaction with and education of athletes for the purpose of preventing doping, while protecting health.
• Implement a national scientific network and foster a relationship with international scientific research programs in order to monitor and predict trends in doping science to facilitate the development, improvement and implementation of detection methods.
• Lead, assist and provide oversight so that all accredited anti-doping agents and agencies perform as a level consistent with international standards.
• Be a respected organization whose corporate governance and operating standards reflect international best practice.

Doping in sports results from a combination of individual, cultural, societal and physiological factors. Prevention of doping in sports must be based on a clear understanding of the complex nature of the problem and the comprehensive mix of strategies needed to address them successfully. The promotion of our programme, using the theme “CLEAN SPORTS”, takes this into account.

The Commission must endeavor to:

• Preserve the integrity and value of sport and youth.
• Actively promote the “level playing field” philosophy.
• Act independently, professionally and without bias or external influence.