Owen Darrell, the sports minister, says it was a privilege to represent Bermuda and be involved in the topics being discussed at the second annual World Anti-Doping Agency Forum in Kingston, Jamaica.

“The World Anti-Doping Agency has been engaging with stakeholders involved in anti-doping to increase support, unity, and coherence within the Caribbean region in the fight against doping in sport,” the minister added. “Regional meetings have been held since 2021 and have brought together sports ministers in the Caribbean whose countries are a signatory.

“As a Wada Code signatory, Bermuda has been an active participant these past two years so it’s certainly a privilege to represent Bermuda at this event.”

The minister joined other sports ministers throughout the Caribbean region at the forum to discuss matters such as; establishing a strong legal framework for anti-doping, further developing and implementing effective testing and education programmes and collaborating for protecting clean athletes and the integrity of sports.

“Everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to share their views and feedback about the topics being presented during the meeting,” added Darrell, who was accompanied by Debbie Jones Hunter, the Bermuda Anti Sports Doping Authority CEO, at the event which concluded today (January 27).

“In addition, during this visit delegates will tour the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission’s facilities, including the mobile unit, which is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean and the second in the world.”

The ministerial conference is a continuation from last year’s virtual event, which focused on the local and regional challenges faced in sports, with Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency and Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, among the speakers at the event.

Darrell has served as Minister for Youth, Culture and Sport for the past three months, having succeeded Ernest Peets in the Cabinet post last October.