The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced that it has disqualified six athletes from participating in the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Gateway Games’.
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade noted on Tuesday in Abeokuta that the disqualification was related to anti-doping issues.
He maintained that registered athletes caught using performance enhancing substances cannot compete for medals at the Games.
The athletes affected include Marcus Okon of Akwa Ibom (para athletics), Ayabeke Opeyemi of Bayelsa (gymnastics), and Shukurat Kareem of Lagos (kickboxing).
The others are Omole Dolapo Joshua of Bayelsa (kickboxing), Ogunsemilore Cynthia of Bayelsa (kickboxing), and Animashaun Sofia of Lagos (para powerlifting).
The decision to ban the athletes came after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the festival.
The NSC noted that this was in line with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
Olopade charged all the participating states to take note of this and reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete competes clean.
“The issue of anti-doping is one important mandate of the commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drug problems at both domestic and international competitions,” the for Ogun State Commissioner for Sports said.
“We are happy now that the national anti-doping law has finally been passed by our sports-loving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ripple effect of such a landmark feat must swiftly be felt in our sports, starting with the current National Sports Festival.”
