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World Anti-Doping Agency scheduled to elect new head

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is scheduled to elect its new head when the public authorities group within the organization convenes for presidential elections in Montreal, Canada, on May 14.

The American Council of Sports (CADE) resolved at their regional meeting in Uruguay to throw their support behind Marcos Diaz of the Dominican Republic, whose election campaign is well underway.

The term of office for the incumbent president of WADA, Sir Craig Reedie, who has been at the helm since 2013, comes to the end within months.

Power blocs within the powerful world of WADA are already lobbying and horse-trading in the knowledge that the head of WADA wields enormous power which can decide the fate of athletes and their federations.

The case of the controversial banning of the Russian athletics federation as well as dozens of some innocent athletes and their subsequent conditional reinstatement is a case in point about the unmistakable importance of the higher echelons of WADA.

Europe has whittled down its list of candidates for the presidential nominee to three. These are Norwegian minister for Children and Equality Linda Helleland, who is also the current vice president of WADA, Polish sports minister Witold Banka and Flemish sports minister Phillipe Muyters.

By May, Europe would have decided on only one candidate.

The big question is: Who will Africa support? Africa needs to support a candidate who will appreciate the socio-economic dynamics of the continent.

The glaring lack of development in many countries and across all the continental regions should be a matter of grave concern to any candidate who wish to win the endorsement of Africa.

The historical pillaging of Africa by former colonial masters, the theft of wealth and gross impoverishment of men, women and children as well as the deliberate capital flight of our continent to Europe in particular is a relevant material factor to this day.

A candidate who earns the support of this promising continent which is rapidly democratizing through the 21st century and Fourth Industrial revolution must prioritize the hardships of African athletes including their lack of infrastructure for training, mobility, access to primary health care as well as the financial status and general livelihood of the African athlete.

South Africa, which host WADA’s African offices in Cape Town, ought to take a leading role in rallying the continent behind a candidate who will turn out to be a true custodian of the African dreams and desires whenever the new executive of WADA goes into session.

Gone are the days when Africa must go to international forums divided and fragmented. It is about time Africa put principles first and tackles global challenges as a collective.

It is therefore my considered opinion that South Africa must take a lead and rally the entire continent to throw its weight behind Marcos Diaz, who is a serving member of WADA executive committee and Foundation Board.

After his endorsement by the American Council of Sports, Diaz said: “We will work hard to guarantee the meaning of the W (World) of WADA is recognized in every action and decision taken by the organization.” Indeed. No more lip service. Respect for all federations regardless of their countries of origin.

That is an imperative. For, far too long candidates from the so-called First World have lived under the illusion that they have a birth right of superiority over the less-developed nations.

Unless and until Africans wake up to set their own agenda, we shall forever be the playing ground of the unscrupulous, wealthy, powerful and manipulative leaders from the West who continue to believe that we are beholden to the politics of the stomach.

The time is now for Africa to map her route to her destination. As Nelson Mandela puts it: “It is in your hands.”

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