This Friday, the Angolan Parliament finally and unanimously approved an amendment to the Anti-Doping in Sports Law, recommending the creation of an independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Council with functional and financial autonomy.
A proposed law to amend the Anti-Doping in Sports Act was “urgently” sent to Parliament by Angolan President João Lourenço and approved by MPs at an extraordinary plenary session.
Deputy Rosa Branca Albino, who presented the joint opinion on the specialty, made it clear that the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Council must guarantee, in accordance with the terms of the law, functional, administrative and financial autonomy, “as well as a completely independent character.”
The new body should be created at the proposal of the ministry overseeing sports.
After introducing the first amendment in March last year, the Anti-Doping in Sports Law returned to the plenary session of the National Assembly (Parliament) to amend six articles that were “not in compliance” with international standards applicable to the matter, especially the World Anti-Doping Committee. Doping Code.
The document includes changes to points, which must also comply with the standards of the International Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
This Friday, in her statement on the vote, the MP of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA, in power), Maria Odete Tavares, considered the compliance of Angolan legislation with the world anti-doping code “indisputable”. reality and therefore its parliamentary group voted in favor of this proposal because it protects a sports environment characterized by transparency and equality, with strengthened monitoring mechanisms.”
Conceição Faria Paulo, a deputy of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA, the largest opposition party), justified her party’s positive vote by arguing that sporting practice is inseparable from sporting ethics and truth.
The UNITA parliamentary group, he emphasized, is convinced that scandals with doping and manipulation of results are an evil that must be eradicated from sports.
And PRS-FNLA (Opposition) mixed parliamentary group MP Benedito Daniel said the positive vote was a result of the fact that Angola has been involved in highly competitive games for many years and that athletes can compete there on equal terms with their opponents.
“Understanding that the proposed amendment protects the pride of Angolans, we voted in favor,” he concluded.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falcão, explained during specialized discussions that a fundamental issue remains related to the creation of the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Council, for which in the previous version of the law the President of the Republic was responsible.
The next plenary meeting is scheduled for June 19.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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