The Commission’s decision aligns with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code
Six athletes have been disqualified from the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games, over anti-doping violations. The National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General, Bukola Olopade, announced the decision on Tuesday in Abeokuta.
He confirmed that the disqualified athletes are ineligible to compete for scoring medals, following a joint meeting between the main and local organising committees.
Olopade emphasized that the decision adheres to “global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code,” urging participating states to ensure clean competition.
“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,” he said.
He praised the recent passage of Nigeria’s national anti-doping law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting, “The ripple effect of such a landmark feat must swiftly be felt in our sports.”
The athletes disqualified include representatives from Lagos, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states across various disciplines.