House committe on sports invite NOC, NADO over World Anti-Doping Agency ban threat

The Federal House Committee on Sports has invited the leadership of Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) over World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) threat to ban all Nigerian from participating in all sports.

The threat follows Nigeria’s inability to comply with international standard as laid down in the World Anti-Doping code.

After lifting ban on Nigeria in November 2018, WADA is furious that the country has not fulfilled the promises made to comply with international Anti-Doping regulations and as a result, WADA has concluded plans to ban Nigeria from participating in all sports if nothing is done before the end of August, 2023.

To save Nigeria from the international embarrassment and opprobrium, the Chairman, House Committee On Sports, Hon. Ekene Adams has invited the leadership of Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) as well leadership of National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) to a meeting scheduled for Tuesday 22nd August, 2023.

The meeting, according to the Media Office to the House Committee Chairman, is to put heads together and come up with plans to stop WADA from the imminent suspension which is capable of putting the country’s image in bad light.

“Anti-doping has become very important in sports that athletes and countries alike can be banned from participating in sports if they do not comply with international anti-doping regulations.

“To save innocent athletes and Nigeria from the embarrassment, the House Committee On Sports has mapped out plans to stop the imminent suspension by inviting the leadership of NOC and NADO to appear before it.

“Due lack of time, we need to act as quickly as possible to forestall WADA ban pronouncement at the end of August. Sports is a very important tool for addressing youth restiveness and engaging youth for meaning achievement in life. Nigeria has huge population of youth and the benefit this group gain from sports can not be overemphasized and must not be taken away from them.

If Nigeria is banned again, it is the innocent Nigerian athletes that will suffer from it. This Government does not need the distraction and embarrassment the issue of anti-doping will generate for the country nationally and internationally,” the Media Office quoted Honourable Ekene as saying.