MPs blame government for suspending international sporting events in Angola

This Wednesday, Angolan MPs held the government responsible for the suspension of the Angolan Olympic Committee (COA) by the World Anti-Doping Agency (AMA) for not adapting sports law to the statutes of this international organization.

The proposed Anti-Doping Law in Angola began to be discussed in the Angolan Parliament in general only at the beginning of February, having been approved, in particular, on Friday, and on the 28th of this month it goes to the last global vote.

A few months before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, for which Angola has already qualified in handball, women’s seniors, rowing with athlete Andre Mathias and canoeing with Manuel Antonio and Benilson Sanda, MP of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Oliviu Nkilumbo criticized Angolan President João Lourenço for excluding sports from his list of priorities.

“Firstly, we should regret it, and secondly, we should hold him accountable. The mistake was on the part of the executive, especially President João Lourenço, because we know that this document was received in October and there was an urgent need to look at sport as a factor of power and duty – this document will be sent to parliament and the responsibility will lie with parliament for not scheduling an urgent debate to send a document of this size,” he said.

An MP from Angolan’s largest opposition party lamented that the government was now seeking to sacrifice “victims”, citing the recent sacking of Palmira Barbosa as Angolan Youth and Sports Minister as an example.

According to the parliamentarian, this situation “puts Angola in an awkward position, since sport has not only political and economic value, but also a social value in the projection of states at the international level.”

“If we do not participate in international competitions because of our disorganization, then it is the fault of President Joao Lourenço and his leader, who do not consider sport as a factor of power and do not have priorities,” he said.

Navita Ngolo, also a UNITA deputy, recalled that, like this law, other laws were delayed due to insufficient speed on the part of the Angolan government.

Angola’s suspension from international competition will continue until Angolan sporting legislation complies with the statutes of the parent anti-doping organization, which will then have to reintegrate the Angolan Olympic Committee, which acts as the national anti-doping organization in Angola.

MPLA MP Palmira Barbosa also recognized the importance of urgently passing the law and expressed confidence in Angola’s return to international competitions in a short time.

“The approval of this law is extremely important for Angola’s participation in all international competitions, not only for athletes, but also for leaders holding positions in international bodies and organizations. Deputies already know the importance and appreciation of this law for the further participation of Angolan sport to reach the international level as soon as possible,” he said.

As a result of this suspension, the Angolan flag will not be able to fly at international competitions, in addition to the fact that the COA will not be able to host or organize any events and its representatives will not be able to hold positions in the AMA.

In the document, the world body explains that on September 22, 2023, it issued a statement announcing the discrepancies on Angola’s part, giving another four months to change them without making these corrections.