Jamaica sports minister says WADA visit `constructive`

Kingston: Jamaica’s Sports Minister Natalie Neita-Headley has described a visit by inspectors representing the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as "constructive".

Three WADA officials were on the island inspecting Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission’s (JADCO) drug testing programme following allegations of a breakdown of its programme to hold out-of-competition testing of athletes from January 2012 to the July opening of the London Olympics. Neita-Headley Wednesday said that the government is "committed to the integrity of sport" and that she is awaiting WADA’s report. The Jamaican sports minister has disclosed that JADCO’s budget rose by 14 per cent this year, staff positions are being filled and a new director has been named. Officials from WADA have refused to comment on the visit to Jamaica, where eight athletes have tested positive for banned substances this year.