South Africa's visible lead on anti-doping policies has resulted in South Africa leading UNESCO in the fight against global anti-doping efforts. This is evident with the appointment of Deputy Minister of Sport, Gert Oosthuizen as Chair of UNESCO's Conference of Parties to the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, says Khalid Galant, CEO of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports.
The two year appointment was announced in Paris yesterday at the 3rd Session Party Conference held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from 14 to 16 November.
Galant, who is in Paris for the convention, says that the Institute congratulates the Deputy Minister of Sport on his appointment. "Two countries were nominated for the chairmanship, South Africa and Argentina," he says. "After the nomination process, Argentina opted not to contest the nomination and stepped down in favour of South Africa."
Representatives from governments as well as anti-doping agencies are formally invited by UNESCO to attend. 172 Countries are signatories to the Convention and approximately 70 countries were present at the meeting in Paris.
He explains that UNESCO's Conference of Parties has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Convention and ensuring compliance by signatories. The International Convention Against Doping in Sport helps governments commit to global anti-doping rules, policies and guidelines in order to provide an honest and equitable playing environment for all athletes.
"South Africa is being recognised as exhibiting innovative and committed leadership in delivering on the UNESCO convention against doping in sport in the country and the continent of Africa," says Galant. "The leadership role will strengthen our international partnerships especially with other African countries who look to SAIDS to mentor them through implementing best practices in anti-doping that have applicability and relevance to Africa."
The key items of discussion to come under the spotlight at this year's conference in Paris are the administration of the Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport; and compliance with the International Convention against Doping in Sport (including the submission of national reports by all States Parties).
SA - the Good News via SAPA
Steuart has done some 500 talks on South Africa's progress since 1994 and SA's prospects for the future' 
