Drug testing lab needed for sports

Fiji urgently needs to establish its own drug testing laboratory for sports, according to a parliamentary committee report tabled last week.

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, in its review of the Fiji National Sports Commission’s 2022-2023 Annual Report, recommended that “Fiji establish its own drug testing laboratory for sports locally” and that “the enforcement of random drug testing be more consistent and stringent.”

Currently, each drug test costs around US$500 (FJ$ 1141.26) and must be processed overseas in locations such as Melbourne, Guam, or Hawaii, making the testing process too expensive.

The report revealed that while no major drug-related issues have emerged in Fijian sports, there have been instances of marijuana use in Fiji Football Association matches, which led to suspensions.

Previously, drug testing was funded through the Oceania drug testing regime, the report stated.

However, following Fiji’s rise to a Category 2 nation after Olympic success, the country must now fund its own drug-free sports operation.

The Committee noted that the passing of the Anti-Doping Act was critical to avoid exclusion from international events, as warned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

According to the report, Government has allocated funds for establishing the Drug-Free Sports operation.

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