By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disqualified six athletes from competing in the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed the ‘Gateway Games 2024,’ following alleged doping-related offences.
NSC identified the affected athletes as Marcus Okon, representing Akwa Ibom State in Para Athletics; Ayabeke David Opeyemi, representing Bayelsa State in Gymnastics; Kareem Shukurat, representing Lagos State in Kickboxing; Omole Dolapo Joshua, representing Bayelsa State in Kickboxing; Ogunsemilore Cynthia, also representing Bayelsa State in Kickboxing; and Animashaun Sofia, representing Lagos State in Para Powerlifting.
The six were deemed as having unresolved doping related issues and are therefore not eligible to compete for medals/trophies in the Games which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared open through Vice President Kassim Shettima on Sunday, May 18, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
This decision announcing the disqualification was conveyed in a statement on Tuesday after a strategic joint meeting of the Main and Local Organising Committees of the Games, on Monday.
The statement signed by Director of Press at the NSC, Dr (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi, said the step was in line with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
Director-General of the NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade urged all participating states to take note of this development and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete competes free of drug.
“The issue of anti-doping is one of the Commission’s most important mandates, ensuring that Nigeria remains free from drug-related problems in both domestic and international competitions,” the statement noted.
The body NSC expressed satisfaction that the National Anti-Doping Law has finally been assented by sports-loving President Bola Tinubu, stressing that its “positive impact of our landmark decision must be felt throughout our sports, starting with the current Sports Festival.”
