The National Sports Commission has barred six athletes, including Nigerian boxers Cynthia Ogunsemilore and Dolapo Omole, from participating in the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State over doping violations.
The commission, during a joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee on Monday, reaffirmed its stance on zero tolerance for doping, stating that athletes currently under anti-doping sanctions are ineligible to compete for medals at the festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024.
This decision, the NSC said, aligns with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Director-General of the Commission, Bukola Olopade, emphasized the agency’s renewed commitment to clean sport in Nigeria.
“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,” Olopade stated.
He further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the National Anti-Doping Law, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigerian sports.
“We are happy now that the national anti-doping law has finally been passed by our sports-loving President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the ripple effect of such a landmark feat must swiftly be felt in our sports, starting with the current National Sports Festival,” he added.
Ogunsemilore was provisionally suspended after testing positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic, ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and African Games champion returned the positive result during an out-of-competition test.
Omole, also facing a doping ban, was listed alongside Ogunsemilore to represent Bayelsa State in kick-boxing.
Others on the ban list include Marcus Okon (para-athletics, Akwa Ibom), Ayabeke David Opeyemi (gymnastics, Bayelsa), Kareem Shukurat (kick-boxing, Lagos), and Animashaun Sofia (para powerlifting, Lagos).
The NSC urged all participating states to conduct due diligence before fielding athletes, stressing that only clean athletes would be allowed to compete.
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