CFP: Doping and Anti-Doping in African Thought Systems: Theory and Practice Book

The use of prohibited substances and methods in sports, technically called doping, is wellknown and is a very complex problem in most sporting disciplines worldwide (Nolte et. al. 2014: 81). According to Robert Alexandru Vlad and others (2018: 529), for a substance or performance improvement method to be classified as doping, it must meet at least two of the following three criteria namely, to improve performance, to present a hazard to the health of the athlete and to violate the spirit of sport. On account of the compromise it has on the credibility of performance in sport, doping deserves serious consideration in order to understand how and the possibilities of preventing it. 

As a consequence, doping is banned by both national and international sports governing bodies, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which runs an extensive testing programme and initiatives designed to foster anti-doping attitudes. Although controlling doping by means of testing and punishment for the offenders is important, it is not by itself sufficient. Slowly, a general consensus is emerging that new interventions should be implemented. Such interventions focus on changing attitudes towards doping and that a greater emphasis is in contemporary times placed on educational programmes, specifically focusing on the morality and health risks of using performance enhancing drugs. 

There exists considerable research on sports doping and anti-doping in Africa, although the same is limited in countries south of the Sahara. To consolidate such efforts, there is need to have this knowledge and information in a single volume for ease of reference. This volume aims at providing a considerably comprehensive picture of doping and anti-doping strategies with special focus on Africa. Besides, on account of limited research on doping and doping in this geographical area, athletes may also not view the use performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and related supplements and methods because of ignorance that these substances and methods are prohibited, inimical to their health and generally against principles of fairness required for conducting clean sport.  We envision this book to provide an exceptional and resource for researchers and students in understanding and preventing doping, as well as providing a forum for fostering clean sports. This book focuses on indigenous knowledge systems and philosophies some of which are regarded as providing explanations for noncompliance and indifference to calls to end doping. Indigenous knowledge systems are also considered as capable of providing strategies for controlling doping in sports in Africa. As a single comprehensive volume on doping and anti-doping in Africa, the topics of the proposed book span from thought systems in African philosophy to African ethics, indigenous knowledge systems, sports management in Africa and many others.

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Themes/areas (list is not exhaustive)

1.     Doping and anti-doping in African Philosophy

2.     Doping and anti-doping in African ethics

3.     Doping and anti-doping in African indigenous knowledge systems

4.     Management of doping and anti-doping in sports in Africa

5.     Therapeutic and medical practices and doping in sports in Africa

6.     Doping and anti-doping in African art and culture

7.     Knowledge, practice and attitudes toward doping and anti-doping in Africa

8.     Policies on anti-doping in Africa

9.     Education systems and anti-doping culture in sports in Africa

10.  Media and communication on doping and anti-doping in Africa 11. Privacy and anti-doping in Africa

Submission Procedure

Researchers and scholars are invited to submit 500-word extended chapter abstract. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified about the status of abstracts and sent chapter guidelines. All submitted chapters will be subjected to peer-review on a double-blind review basis. Some contributors may be requested to serve as reviewers of manuscripts for this book project. 

Important Dates:

28th January, 2021:

Abstract Submission Deadline

15th February, 2022:

Notification of Acceptance of proposals

15th May, 2022:           

Full Chapter Submission

15th July, 2022:            

Review reports submitted to authors

15th September, 2022:

Revised chapter submission

15th October, 2022:

Acceptance/Rejection notification sent to authors

15th November, 2022:

Final Chapter Submission

15th January, 2023:

Book Publication

About the Editors

Yamikani Ndasauka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Malawi. His research interests are in philosophy, applied ethics and mental health. He is an active researcher and has published in international journals and contributed book chapters to numerous books. He has co-edited a book titled Addiction in South and East Africa: Interdisciplinary Approaches. Dr Ndasauka holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Science and Technology of China, a Master of Research degree from the University of East Anglia, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Malawi.

Simon Mathias Makwinja is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, University of Malawi. He teaches African Philosophy and African Ethics. He also teaches Sports Ethics at the Malawi Science of Science and Technology (MUST) on part-time basis. His research interests cut across the terrain of African value systems. He has published some articles in African philosophy and ethics. Dr Makwinja holds a doctoral degree in Philosophy from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa, a Master of Arts in Philosophy from University of Malawi and a Master of Human Rights Practice (HRP) jointly offered by University of Roehampton (UK), Gothenburg University (Sweden) and University of Tromso (Norway).  

Inquiries and submissions (in Microsoft word) should be sent to: [email protected] and copied to [email protected] 

References

K Nolte, B J M Steyn, P E Krüger, L Fletcher (2014). Doping in sport: Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of competitive high-school athletes in Gauteng Province, South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(3), 81-86.

Robert Alexandru Vlad, Gabriel Hancu, Gabriel Cosmin Popescu, Ioana Andreea Lungu (2018). Doping in Sports, a Never-Ending Story? Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 8(4), 529-534. 

P F M Ama, B Betnga, V J Ama Moor, J P Kamga (2003). Football and doping: study of African amateur footballers, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 37, 307–310.