Pretoria - Government has promised that the World Conference on Doping in Sport to be hosted by South Africa in 2013 will be "second to none".
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Board on Sunday selected South Africa to host the conference ahead of other competing countries - the USA, Slovenia and Russia.
"We pledge ourselves to put together a conference second to none. We re-iterate our appreciation and national pride to the WADA Board for believing and trusting us as Africans to host such a conference of global standing and stature," said Sport and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula, during a post Cabinet briefing on Thursday.
He congratulated the City of Johannesburg for "confirming to all of us and the international community that South Africa is a safe, hospitable and vibrant global destination".
Mbalula's department was instrumental in lobbying and supporting the city in its bid to host the conference by formally sending their endorsement of the bid to WADA. Support for the bid was also received from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, South African Tourism, and Airports Company South Africa.
The former youth leader said successfully winning the bid to host the WADA conference followed on the country's triumph in hosting of the African Regional Anti-Doping Conference in 2008.
South Africa participates actively in WADA activities and has since its inception shown total support for anti-doping and the World Anti-Doping Code.
The 2013 WADA conference host country also signed the Copenhagen declaration on Anti-Doping in sport, ratified by the UNESCO Convention on Doping in Sport.
The conference will add to the country's positive image as a leading nation in the campaign against illegal drug use in sport.
Between 2 500 and 3 000 delegates will descend onto the shores of the economic hub of South Africa in 2013, including policy makers, sport officials and academics.
