All gaming bodies should comply with WADA

A player giving it his all  at the recent SA National Championships

With all thee fuss being  made about doping (read my article Should gamers be concerned about Maria Sharapova?) and the recent statement on Mind Sports South Africa's facebook page which reads as follows:

"Athletes who fail doping tests can face a ban of up to four years for a first offence, but substantial reductions can be imposed if they demonstrate that they did not intend to enhance their performance."

Thus it is obvious  that IeSF and  its member federations like MSSA will  be taking a no-nonsense approach to players (cyber-athletes) who are taking medication to enhance their performance.

It is known that  as far back as 2011, MSSA omitted a player  from the Protea eSports Team over such issues.

But what of the private events?

Do they comply with WADA?

Will they enforce equality, or will such private events just allow the same-old-same-old where the teams  entered can almost do as they  please.

How will the privately owned events such as Orena, DGL, and others  deal with infractions done by teams while playing online?

Will the Digital Gaming League (DGL) enforce drug-testing during its events to ensure that all teams start on an equal-footing. Especially with so much money at stake, DGL should ensure that  there is no cheating - at any level!

One only needs to think back to 2015 where a top team allowed a player to play under a different name.

In terms of the law, operators that do not show due diligence may very well be held liable by the other teams that have been compromised.

To protect all those  innocent gamers, all bodies must subscribe to WADA.