Nigerian boxers Cynthia Ogunsemilore and Dolapo Omole are among six athletes barred from participating in the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State due to doping violations.
The National Sports Commission (NSC), during a joint meeting of the Main and Local Organising Committees on Monday, reiterated that athletes currently serving doping bans are ineligible to compete for medals at the festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024. The move aligns with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in Nigerian sports and urged participating states to ensure compliance with anti-doping regulations.
“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,” Olopade 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.”
Among the athletes banned:
- Cynthia Ogunsemilore: Provisionally suspended after testing positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. She was set to represent Bayelsa State in kick-boxing.
- Dolapo Omole: Also serving a doping ban in boxing but was registered for kick-boxing at the festival under Bayelsa State.
- Marcus Okon (Akwa Ibom – Para-athletics)
- Ayabeke David Opeyemi (Bayelsa – Gymnastics)
- Kareem Shukurat (Lagos – Kick-boxing)
- Animashaun Sofia (Lagos – Para powerlifting)
The NSC reaffirmed its commitment to clean competition, declaring that doping will not be tolerated at any level of Nigerian sports.
