Following a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday, the National Sports Commission issued a warning that registered athletes with anti-doping issues cannot compete for medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival, dubbed the Gateway Games 2024. According to PUNCH Online, Nigerian boxers Cynthia Ogunsemilore and Dolapo Omole, along with four other athletes, have been banned from competing at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State because they are currently serving doping bans.
NSC DG Bukola Olopade emphasized the commission’s dedication to making sure all athletes participate in a clean manner and urged all participating states to take note of this.
One of the Commission’s key responsibilities is to ensure that Nigeria is free of drug-related issues at both domestic and international events.
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”, he said.
Ogunsemilore was provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance ahead of her opening fight at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and African Games champion tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list, in an out-of-competition doping control.
Other banned athletes are Marcus Okon, representing Akwa Ibom state in para-athletics, Ayabeke David Opeyemi, representing Bayelsa state in gymnastics, Kareem Shukurat, representing Lagos state in kick-boxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos state in Para powerlifting.
Ogunsemilore and Omole, who got their dooping bans in boxing were registered to represent Bayelsa state in kick-boxing.
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