The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disqualified several registered athletes from competing for medals at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, due to anti-doping violations.

 

The decision was confirmed on Monday following a strategic joint meeting between the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the festival. According to the NSC, the action aligns with global best practices and adheres strictly to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

 

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, reiterated the Commission’s zero-tolerance stance on doping, emphasizing that athletes with unresolved anti-doping issues will not be permitted to participate in medal events.

 

“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,” Olopade stated. “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 Sports Festival.”

 

Olopade urged all participating states to take the directive seriously and ensure that athletes meet clean competition standards. He emphasized that the integrity of Nigerian sports depends on strict compliance with anti-doping regulations.

 

In line with this directive, the NSC released a list of athletes who have been barred from competing for medals due to doping concerns:

1. Marcus Okon – Para Athletics (Akwa Ibom State)

2. Ayabeke David Opeyemi – Gymnastics (Bayelsa State)

3. Kareem Shukurat – Kickboxing (Lagos State)

4. Omole Dolapo Joshua – Kickboxing (Bayelsa State)

5. Ogunsemilore Cynthia – Kickboxing (Bayelsa State)

6. Animashaun Sofia – Para Powerlifting (Lagos State)

 

The NSC’s firm action is seen as a proactive step to enforce clean sport policies and safeguard the credibility of the festival. Observers believe this move will set a precedent for future national and international events involving Nigerian athletes.

 

The Gateway Games 2024, which continues in Ogun State, has attracted thousands of athletes from across the country and is being celebrated for its organization, cultural showcase, and competitive spirit. The crackdown on doping now adds a significant chapter in its quest for integrity and excellence in Nigerian sports.