The National Sports Commission, NSC, has barred athletes with anti-doping issues from competing at the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, www.aclsports.com reports.
The stand became clear after the strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, charged all the participating states to take note of the development and also used the opportunity emphasize the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete at the Games compete fairly.
“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,” Olopade stated.
“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 added.
The commission also stressed that the decision to prevent the athletes from participating is in line with global best practices and the World antidoping Agency (WADA) code.
Meanwhile, as contained in the statement released by the press office of the commission, the following athletes with doping cases have been barred from competing.
1. Marcus Okon representing Akwa Ibom state in Para Athletics
2. Ayabeke David Opeyemi representing Bayelsa state in Gymnastics
3. Kareem Shukurat representing Lagos state in kickboxing
4. Omole Dolapo Joshua representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing
5. Ogunsemilore Cynthia representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing
6. Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in Para powerlifting
