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, PUNCH Online reports.
The National Sports Commission released 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 DG, Bukola Olopade charged all the participating states to take note of this and reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete competes very cleanly.
“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 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.
The following athletes have therefore been listed to have doping issues and cannot compete for medals at the Games.
- 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 representing Bayelsa state in kickboxing
- Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in Para powerlifting