The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disqualified six athletes from the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), also known as the Gateway Games, over anti-doping violations. NSC Director General Bukola Olopade announced the decision in Abeokuta on Tuesday, stating it followed a joint meeting of the main and local organising committees.
“This is in line with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code,” Olopade said, reaffirming the Commission’s resolve to ensure a clean competition. He urged participating states to take note and praised the recent passage of Nigeria’s national anti-doping law.
“We are happy now that the national anti-doping law has finally been passed by our sports-loving president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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.
The athletes disqualified are:
Marcus Okon (Akwa Ibom, para athletics)
Ayabeke Opeyemi (Bayelsa, gymnastics)
Shukurat Kareem (Lagos, kickboxing)
Omole Dolapo Joshua (Bayelsa, kickboxing)
Ogunsemilore Cynthia (Bayelsa, kickboxing)
Animashaun Sofia (Lagos, para powerlifting)
Olopade emphasized: “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.”
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