Six athletes, including Nigerian boxers Cynthia Ogunsemilore and Dolapo Omole, have been disqualified from participating in the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State due to ongoing doping bans..
The National Sports Commission emphasized that any athlete currently facing doping sanctions is ineligible to compete for medals at the event, which has been officially tagged the Gateway Games 2024.
This directive was issued following a high-level strategic meeting between the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the festival held on Monday.
The Commission clarified that the decision aligns with international standards and conforms to the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, issued a stern reminder to all participating states, underlining the Commission’s commitment to promoting clean competition.
“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,” he 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 National Sports Festival,” Olopade added.
Ogunsemilore was provisionally suspended after failing a doping test ahead of her first bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and African Games gold winner tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic listed on WADA’s banned substances list, during an out-of-competition test.
Despite being suspended from boxing, Ogunsemilore and Omole were listed to compete in kick-boxing for Bayelsa State at the festival.
Other athletes currently under doping sanctions include para-athlete Marcus Okon (Akwa Ibom), gymnast Ayabeke David Opeyemi (Bayelsa), kick-boxer Kareem Shukurat (Lagos), and para powerlifter Animashaun Sofia (Lagos).