Gateway Games: NSC disqualifies six athletes with anti-doping issues

Six registered athletes with antidoping issues have been disqualified from competing for medals in the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged ‘Gateway Games 2024’, by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director Press, NSC, Dr (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi, on Tuesday.

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The statement said that the NSC made it clear after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday.

The commission announced that this is in line with global best practices and the World antidoping Agency (WADA) code.

The Director General of NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade, charged all the participating states to take note of this and reiterates the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete compete very clean.

“The issue of antidoping is one important mandate of the Commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drugs problems at both domestic and international competitions.

“We are happy now that the National antidoping law has finally been passed by our Sports loving President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the ripple effect of such a landmark fear must swiftly be felt in our Sports starting with the current Sports Festival,” he stated.

Those disqualified for competing for medals were Marcus Okon representing Akwa Ibom state in Para Athletics; Ayabeke David Opeyemi representing Bayelsa state in Gymnastics; Kareem Shukurat representing Lagos State in Kickboxing; Omole Dolapo Joshua representing Bayelsa State in Kickboxing; Ogunsemilore Cynthia representing Bayelsa State in Kickboxing and Animashaun Sofia representing Lagos State in Para powerlifting