The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged to root out drug cheats in Nigeria’s sports sector and ensure they face appropriate sanctions, in line with global best practices.
Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the NSC and Chairman of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) Main Organising Committee, tagged “Ogun 24 Gateway Games”, disclosed this to sports journalists on Monday at the National Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He said, “The commission is keen on weeding out athletes who engage in doping, to serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to do the same.”
Olopade emphasized the commission’s commitment to identifying and penalizing athletes who engage in doping, serving as a deterrent to others. He noted that the NSC is collaborating with relevant organizations to ensure Nigerian athletes compete fairly and drug-free.
“The anxiety to excel is pushing some athletes to engage in acts that may ultimately destroy their careers,” Olopade said. “Nigeria is blessed with talented individuals with bright futures, and the NSC is committed to developing the nation’s sports sector through conscientious programs.”
He informed that “over 9,000 athletes and officials are currently in Ogun State for the biennial sports fiesta, and we are feeding them together with some gate crashers at the games.
“The timetable for the Games shows that on Wednesday, swimming and tennis events will commence at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The Alake Centre, also in Abeokuta, will host volleyball, while golf will be teed off at the Abeokuta Golf Course.”
