From Paul Orude, Bauchi
The National Sports Commission, NSC, has disqualified six athletes in the on-going National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024 holding in Abeaokuta, Ogun State for failing anti-doping tests.
The NSC DG Hon Bukola Olopade, warned that any registered athletes discovered with antidoping issues cannot compete for scoring medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival
Olopade made it clear after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday
“This is in line with global best practices and the World antidoping Agency (WADA) code,” the commission said
The NSC DG charged all the participating states to take note of this and reiterates 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 NSC therefore resolved that, the following athletes, Marcus Okon representing Akwa Ibom state in Para Athletics, Ayabeke David Opeyemi representing Bayelsa state in Gymnastics, Kareem Shukurat representing Lagos state in kickboxing, Omole Dolapo Joshua representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing, Ogunsemilore Cynthia representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in Para powerlifting cannot compete for Medals at the Games due to doping issues.
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