It took an awfully long time, but finally the die is cast at the KBDB. The fact that this rule, because let us be honest, from now on it is just a rock hard law, is only now put in black and white in the regulations, is actually an absolute shame. After all, we practice our sport so seriously and with so much passion. But alright, the national mandates have voted and as Pigeon Boss Speaks I will of course immediately take you through what this actually means for our winged athletes. Because the fact that we have to stay sharp to keep doping in pigeon racing out of the door, is beyond any doubt!
The KBDB has adjusted the rules regarding doping controls and the sports regulations with immediate effect. No more vague grey areas or ambiguities, but laws that nobody can bypass. A peaceful gathering at the lofts is beautiful, but from the publication of this announcement, the renewed text of article 83/2 of the NSR and article 3 of the Doping Regulations is relentlessly in force. Everyone who goes for the absolute top with heart and soul knows that a fair fight is the foundation of our beautiful hobby. With this update, the federation finally tries to close the loopholes in the law regarding doping in pigeon racing for good.
The new Belgian lockdown at the loft
What does this new law actually mean for us as fanciers? Pay very close attention, because this has a direct impact on your weekly planning. All pigeons that have participated in a race must mandatory remain available at the loft for any unannounced checks by the KBDB or the organizer.
For the sprint and middle distance races, this applies until the day after the closure of the race. But for the long distance and extreme long distance races, you must now keep your racers at the loft for at least 5 calendar days after the closure of the race. So you cannot just house or move them somewhere else.
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In addition, a rock hard new blockade has been introduced: the same pigeons are absolutely not allowed to participate in two consecutive long distance or extreme long distance races. If you make a mistake here, you will simply be refused at the next basketting. No discussion possible with the basketter. That period of 5 days only expires if you can prove in black and white that the pigeon in question has participated in another official race recognized by the KBDB in the meantime.
And what about at the NPO?
When we look at the NPO in the Netherlands, we see a completely different story. There they do not yet know this specific, mandatory law of staying home for five calendar days after a race. Where the Belgians now choose a rock hard, collective time blockade to tackle abuse and enforce rest, the NPO currently focuses purely on the medical responsibility of the fancier themselves. Think of a reporting obligation for treatments with prohibited substances and unannounced loft checks to detect doping in pigeon racing.
Time for a worldwide standard against doping in pigeon racing
And that brings me to the real pain point that gets me incredibly worked up. It is about damn time that the NPO and all other federations worldwide copy and take over this Belgian law directly! What are we still waiting for?
Our sport after all benefits from a crystal clear, clean and fair fight. We have seen way too often in the past that things go grandiosely wrong when the loopholes in the law are wide open and illegal substances falsify the results. Half measures and different rules per country only cause sour faces, frustration and suspicion among each other. If we want to lift pigeon racing worldwide to the highest level, all noses must point in the same direction. One clear, international standard for everyone is the only way forward.
For us, this simply means that we have to work even more professionally and strategically with our racing team. It is a fantastic thing that the KBDB is finally setting strict frameworks. Now it is up to the rest of the world to follow this good example.
Let this be a reminder that only with the very best care, tight planning and full transparency can we promote and grow our beautiful sport. We go for the victory, but we do it according to the rules and with maximum pleasure. Stay sharp, organize your administration and planning perfectly, and let those champions of yours shine in the sky. The bar is high, exactly the way it should be!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
