Chijioke Gabriel
In a further resolve to rid the sports sector of any form of underhand practices that erode the integrity of the nation’s sporting landscape, Nigerian boxers, Cynthia Ogunsemilore and Dolapo Omole as well as four other athletes have been banned from competing at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State, as they are currently serving doping bans.
The National Sports Commission issued a caution that registered athletes with anti-doping issues cannot compete for scoring medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games 2024.
The NSC made it clear after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday.
The Commission announced that this is in line with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, tasked all the participating states to take note of the development, and reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete competes very 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.
“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 said.
Ogunsemilore was provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance ahead of her opening fight at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and African Games champion tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list, in an out-of-competition doping control.
Other banned athletes are Marcus Okon, representing Akwa Ibom state in para-athletics, Ayabeke David Opeyemi, representing Bayelsa State in gymnastics, Kareem Shukurat, representing Lagos State in kick-boxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos State in Para powerlifting.
Ogunsemilore and Omole, who got their doping bans in boxing were registered to represent Bayelsa state in kick-boxing.
