FOOTBALL associations yesterday called for greater awareness of banned doping agents in organised sport.
The Pancyprian Footballers association (CFA), in co-operation with the Ministry of Health and other sports organisations, announced their involvement in a global effort to combat the use of performance enhancing drugs.
To mark the beginning of the campaign, a convention will be held on September 15 2008, at the Journalists’ Union Offices, themed ‘Prohibited Substances in Sport. Don’t be a victim’.
The initiative coincides with UEFA’s resolution to make dope control in football a priority this year
General Practitioner Costas Shizas said that the general lack of information provided to athletes was a major contributor towards doping in sport.
“Professional athletes are under a lot of pressure to perform consistently and be at the top of their game,” said Dr Shizas. “It’s our duty as a nation to inform them of the harmful physiological effects and legal repercussions surrounding the use of steroids.”
Dr Shizas went on to say that “as a nation that contributes thousands of euros towards Olympic involvement, it is unacceptable for us to not have a strict drug testing system in place for athletes”.
“I would also like to make clear,” said Dr Shizas “that the position the World Anti Doping Association takes is that all athletes must be aware and responsible for their use of dietary supplements and pharmaceutical substances.”
President of the CFA Spyros Neotifides added that in addition to the more recognised dangers of drug use among athletes, “we must also consider the ethics involved in organised sport”.
“Doping can diminish an athletes’ triumph,” said Neofitides. “The best sportsman may not be the winner when performance enhancing drugs are used, and this goes against the principals of all organised sports.”
He continued to say, that all too often athletes found guilty of doping would plead ignorance as their main defence. The best way to protect them, he said, was to present them with information on where the law stands and the penalties they face for breaking it.
“They are not just football players,” said Neofitides “they are also responsible for any substance found in their bodies. If a player tests positive for steroid use, they will be banned from the sport and possibly prosecuted.”
