Accra, Aug 11. GNA - Sports Ministers from Commonwealth countries will on August 12, meet in Athens Greece on the eve of the Olympic Games to debate on how to help in the fight against drugs in sports.

The meeting, which will be chaired by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon and Dick Pound, Chairman of the World Anti Doping Agency will focus on the role the commonwealth can play in the effective implementation of the World Anti Doping Code by sports organisations and governments.

According to a News Release copied to the GNA Sports the meeting will also discuss how women's participation in sports can be enhanced and share best practices on hosting of major sporting events.

The Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meetings are held every two years, prior to the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. The first meeting was held in Manchester in 2002, ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the next meeting will be in Australia, in the wings of the Melbourne 2006 Games.

The United Kingdom's Minister of Sports, Mr Richard Caborn who will chair the meeting said "The millions watching this month's Olympics need to have confidence that the competitors winning medals are doing so fair and squarely.

"I believe the Commonwealth has a big role to play in helping rid sports of drug cheats and I am sure governments will want to play their part."

Mr McKinnon will brief the sports ministers on the establishment of a Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sports (CABOS) to promote sport as a tool for economic and social development.

He said that "Sports can play an important role in the economic development of commonwealth member countries and empower people, particular the young and provide them with real opportunities to better their lives."

"I'm confident this meeting will deliver practical results and confirm the role commonwealth can play in promoting the value for sports for the benefit of all commonwealth citizens" Mr McKinnon.