Anti-Dopping: 6 Athletes Banned from Participating in 22nd National Sports Festival

By Ikemefuna Asika.

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has cautioned that registered athletes with antidoping issues cannot compete for scoring medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024.

The NSC made it clear after the strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday.

The commission announced that this is in line with global best practices and the World antidoping Agency (WADA) code.

NSC’s Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade in a remark charged all the participating states to take note of the decision and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete compete very clean.

“The issue of antidoping is one important mandate of the Commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drugs problems at both domestic and international competitions.

” We are happy now that the National antidoping law has finally been passed by our Sports loving President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the ripple effect of such a landmark fear must swiftly be felt in our Sports starting with the current Sports Festival”, he stated.

The athletes include Marcus Okon representing Akwa Ibom state in Para Athletics, Ayabeke David Opeyemi representing Bayelsa state in Gymnastics and
Kareem Shukurat representing Lagos state in kickboxing. Others include Omole Dolapo Joshua representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing, Ogunsemilore Cynthia representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in Para powerlifting.

According to the statement from Dr (mrs) kehinde Ajayi FCAI, Director Press,
National Sports Commission, the athletes have doping issues and cannot compete for medals at the Games.