The National Sports Commission (NSC) has cautioned that registered athletes with antidoping issues cannot compete for scoring medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games 2024.
The NSC made it clear after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Games on Monday.
The commission, in a statement by the Director Press, National Sports Commission, (NSC), Dr (mrs) kehinde Ajayi announced that it was in line with global best practices and the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) code.
The athletes listed to have doping issues and cannot compete for medals at the Games are 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 are Omole Dolapo Joshua representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing, Ogunsemilore Cynthia representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in Para powerlifting
The statement added that the NSC DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade charged all the participating states to take note of this 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.
