The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disqualified six athletes at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State, citing antidoping issues, Afrosport reports.
The NSC cautioned that registered athletes with antidoping related issues can not compete for scoring medals at the Games, adding that the decision is in line with the global best practices and the World antidoping (Agency) WADA code.
The Director General National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade charged all the participating states to take note of the development, 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 affected athletes are Marcus Okon of Team Akwa Ibom, Team Bayelsa’s Ayabeke Opeyemi, Kareem Shukurat of Lagos, and Omole Dolapo representing Bayelsa State.
Others are Ogunsemilore Cynthia of Bayelsa State, and Animashaun Sofia of team Lagos.
