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Drug Testing
An open letter from John Howell (President BKA and Director FIK) updadting members on the new drug testing requirements.
There seems to be a lot of trepidation about the possible testing of drugs.
I would therefore like to give you some background information on how this came about. Some 2 years ago there was a move to have Kendo registered by another country as the sole authority for kendo with GAISF (General Assembly International Sports Federation) (If you are interested to see how many world governing bodies that are listed there ,go to their website). The board of directors of the IKF (which I am one) voted to join GAISF. One of the conditions of joining was that we would also adhere to the organisation called WADA (World Anti Doping Agency).
It has been made clear that there could be drug testing at the forth coming World Kendo Championships and last year I was asked to supply 4 names to be tested by November 2008, this was submitted with the arrangement of the Team Manager. Our members were not called upon but France was.
The extent of how far the testing will go at this moment is not clear, it could be at World, or European Championships only, on the other hand it could mean National Championships as well. The European Kendo Federation already has a Doctor and Solicitor in place and we as a member and governing body must look at doing the same if required.
Things are at an early stage, but we must be prepared to have a working system.
If anyone has to take drugs to try and win a competition then he/she has thrown away the principles of Kendo and if caught should be severely punished weather it be at International or National level.
John Howell.
President BKA
Director FIK
