SOUTH AFRICAN MUSHERS ASSOCIATION (SAMA)

On 7th March 2009 the inaugural meeting was held to officially formulate the new Control Body for Sled Dog Sports in South Africa.  

For more information, go to the website www.gocco.co.za/sama.htm

SAMA National Executive

NEW SLEDDOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION FORMED

A new Sledding Association has been founded to take governance of sled dog sports to a different level. 

Ground work is already in place. Should you require more information or would like to receive an invite to the inaugural meeting, please forward your intent to the Interim Secretary at sama@gocco.co.za  

Trust to see you there, come and listen for yourself and you will be amazed what has been planned for the future of Sled Dog Sports. 

Come and be part of a historical event - together lets be part of change for the better. 

For more information, go to the interim website www.gocco.co.za/sama.htm - content as approved by the Interim Committee.

An Inaugural Meeting has planned for the immediate future, during which the Executive Structure to take form and the Office Bearers to the National Executive to be elected.

Together we can!

Interim Secretary 
South African Mushers Association

Let the sledding voices be heard!

You may have noticed some recent press articles in respect of the Governmental research process into the possibility of reintroducing greyhound racing as a sport-cum-industry in South Africa. The University of the Free State (Heading the research) have called for written inputs from the public. We urge all persons to post their positive comments to Prof. E Snyman-van De venter – This can be done via a post box available on the following website.

The website address is: www.greyhoundracingfacts.co.za 

Prof Snyman –Van Deventer: snyman.rd@ufs.ac.za

As you are all aware the law in question (ordinance no 4 of 1949) is the law the NSPCA is currently applying to sledding to stop sledding in South Africa. We would like all of the sledding fraternity (or any dog sport member) to voice their opinions on the law in question (and possibly the current abuse of the law) not necessarily their opinion on the greyhound racing. It is not necessary for one to become involved in a debate on the positive and negative aspects of greyhound racing but should focus on the banning of “dog racing” and the negative effect it has had and can have on many dog sports that could be unfairly put under this banner including:

Agility
Dog Jumping
Sledding
Carting
Sheep Dog Trials
Schutzhund Trials

Basically any timed event can be put into the category of “dog racing” as the NSPCA sees fit. This has been shown to have happened by the NSPCA’s actions against Dog Sledding this year.

All comments must be short (max 300 words) and must have been submitted by the end of October. Should there be any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours Sincerely
Cindy Foggitt
 

Doping Control: Sample Taking Procedures

The Sample Taking Procedures for Doping Control and A special informative booklet for drivers: "Doping Control Step by Step."

These documents, written by ESDRA Anti-Doping Chairperson Carin Ahlstedt and based on the WADA recommendations and information booklets.

It should also be remembered that Part 9 of the WSA Regulations includes the new Anti-Doping Regulations voted in at the last GA. (Chapter 9).

Drivers wishing to obtain further information on the National Anti-Doping Regulations or who may have particular questions, are invited to contact: antidoping@esdra.net 

Dog Urine Sample Taking Procedures : www.wsa-sleddog.com/pdf/278.pdf
Sample Taking Step by Step: www.wsa-sleddog.com/pdf/277.pdf

 

MUSHING USA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL BERTHS FOR 2009 IFSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

National organization seeks applicants to represent Team USA

Oxford, Maine- Mushing USA the National Governing Body for sled dog sports in the USA has established a process for selecting teams to represent the US in the Mid-distance and Junior classes and will consider awarding additional berths in the Sprint and Nordic classes to represent the United States at the IFSS World Championships to be held in Daaquam, Quebec, Canada in January 2009. The decision to consider additional berths for the Sprint and Nordic classes came after the Quebec organizing committee made an official request of Mushing USA to field additional teams.

The Mid-distance selection process will consider teams who have a demonstrated record in the two previous seasons of finishing in the top 10 percent of their respective fields, either mid-distance or stage races, with distances equal to, or greater than the mileage contested at the World Championships. The selection committee will also consider an applicant's geographic residence with the goal of representing each of Mushing USA's 4 regions: East, Central, West and Alaska.

The 4-dog Junior and Junior Skijoring applicants must have a demonstrated proficiency in their chosen discipline. The goal of Mushing USA for the Junior divisions is to encourage participation and development of Junior mushers in both the Nome and Nordic styles of mushing.

Competitors in the Sprint and Nordic classes who can demonstrate with their race record from the previous two years that they will likely improve the competitiveness of the MUSA team, are encouraged to apply for a berth.