The House of Representatives approved, on December 25, by majority, Bill No. 23.06 amending and supplementing Law No. 12.97 relating to the fight against doping in sport.
In his presentation of the bill, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, stressed that Morocco has always respected its international commitments in the fight against doping, particularly with regard to the International Convention against Doping in Sport adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the World Anti-Doping Code, which illustrates the Kingdom’s adherence to global efforts in the fight against doping, one of the most important challenges facing the sector.
In this regard, Benmoussa stated that the bill is part of the alignment of the national legislative system with the measures in force to establish an optimal framework favoring the achievement and updating of objectives of the National Sports Strategy, to ensure its effective contribution to the fight against doping in Moroccan sports and guaranteeing consistency with the recommendations of the International Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), particularly in terms of harmonizing the provisions of current Law No. 97.12 with the World Anti-Doping Code and to strengthen the independence of the Moroccan Anti-Doping Agency (AMAD).
The minister also noted that this amending text focuses on a set of objectives, including updating the provisions relating to doping control per the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, especially relating to methods of control, and persons qualified to carry out this task, as well as the granting of licenses for the use of prohibited drugs and methods for therapeutic purposes.
Next to expanding the number of laboratories authorized to analyze and study biological samples in the field of anti-doping to include laboratories accredited by the aforementioned World Agency, the bill also aims to revise disciplinary sanctions imposed on athletes and sports organizations by referring to the sanctions provided for in the World Anti-Doping Code, the consolidation of the governance of the Moroccan Anti-Doping Agency (AMAD) by developing its skills based on innovations in this area, as well as the creation of a position of secretary general within the agency and the definition of his tasks in administrative management.
This initiative is also aimed at strengthening the autonomy of the disciplinary bodies of the Moroccan Anti-Doping Agency (AMAD) by transforming them into an independent body, in addition to the revision of its composition and its mandate per the rules established in the World Anti-Doping Code.