International success of Minister Witold Bańka! The Polish Minister will represent the countries of the Council of Europe
Minister of Sport and Tourism Witold Bańka has been appointed Europe’s representative in the Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The head of Polish sport will represent the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Minister Bańka’s candidacy was unanimously supported by the countries represented in the Ad hoc European Committee for the World Anti-Doping Agency (CAHAMA). Previously, no Pole had ever been appointed to such an important position in world anti-doping structures.
Minister Bańka was entrusted with this role because of the widespread recognition of actions taken by Poland, and himself as the head of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, in the fight against doping. In 2016, the ministry drafted an innovative bill on combating doping in sport. It provides for, inter alia, the establishment of a modern Polish Anti-Doping Agency with wide-ranging powers. The bill was adopted by the government on 20 December 2016.
The fight against doping is one of the main areas of activity in the field of competitive sport, and WADA plays a key role in this context. Minister Bańka’s participation in strategic decisions made by the organization will strengthen Poland’s image as a country attaching great importance to combating negative phenomena in sport.
Minister Bańka, in his work on the Committee, will represent the countries of the Council of Europe. During his tenure he will express their views and cooperate closely with them, via bilateral channels as well as the forum of the Council of Europe. Thus, Poland will become more active within this organization.
Minister Bańka’s candidacy for a seat on the WADA Executive Committee was supported by all countries represented in the Ad hoc European Committee for the World Anti-Doping Agency (CAHAMA) at the end of March. On April 5, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe approved it and informed WADA of its choice. Formally, Minister Bańka will be appointed a member of the WADA Executive Committee on May 18, during a session of the organization’s Foundation Board. Minister Bańka will complete the term of previous Committee member Mrs. Thorhild Widvey, former Norwegian Minister for Sport, with the possibility of re-election for 2018-2019.
WADA is the most important organization dedicated to combating doping in sport. It was established by the International Olympic Committee and public authorities from around the world, who signed a joint declaration on the matter in 1999. WADA is charged with setting standards related to combating doping, and monitoring compliance with them. The Agency’s flagship project is the World Anti-Doping Code and accompanying lower-level documents – international standards which, taken together, serve to harmonize activities undertaken to combat doping.
The WADA Executive Committee is, in addition to the Foundation Board, one of the governing bodies of the organization. The Committee’s composition is based on the principle of equal representation of sports and public authorities. This means that the 12-member Committee consists of 6 representatives of sports bodies and 6 representatives of governments, which are nominated by the 6 continental organizations. The President and Vice-President of WADA also hold seats on the Executive Committee. The Council of Europe appoints the Executive Committee member who represents the countries of Europe.
- International context
Minister Bańka’s nomination is a result of a decision made by countries cooperating within the Council of Europe. The decision was made on a consensus basis.
It should be emphasized that Minister Bańka’s work in the WADA Executive Committee will have a positive impact on Poland’s international standing in the area of sport as well as in the context of building broader bilateral relations with other countries and international organizations. The Committee includes representatives of the International Olympic Committee (the IOC Vice-President), national Olympic committees and international sports federations (e.g. Secretary-General of FIBA). Sessions of this body are also attended by ministerial-level representatives of Australia and Japan, and a representative of African countries.
- Members of the Committee
The Executive Committee of WADA currently consists of: Sir Craig Reedie (WADA President), Linda Hofstad Helleland (WADA Vice-President), Jiri Kejval, Patrick Baumann, Ugur Erdener, Tony Estanguet and Francesco Ricci Bitti (representatives of the Olympic movement), as well as Greg Hunt, Amira El Fadil, Marcos Diaz, Toshiei Mizuochi and Thorhild Widvey (representatives of public authorities). Minister Bańka will replace Norway’s former minister for sport Thorhild Widvey on the Executive Committee.
- Responsibilities
The Executive Committee is responsible for managing WADA and for the organization’s policy-making. Because of the WADA bodies’ system of work, the Executive Committee is, in practice, the only body in which the agency’s future solutions are discussed. Although, in the majority of cases, the Foundation Board is charged with adopting decisions, it is the Executive Committee that is responsible for preparing and recommending them to the Board. Moreover, the Executive Committee adopts the lists of prohibited substances and methods as well as all technical documents, including those related to the practices of anti-doping laboratories.