Pending doom as Nigeria risks sanctions by WADA for failure to comply with anti-doping code

Nigeria's women's 4x100m team won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Pending doom as Nigeria risks sanctions by WADA for failure to comply with anti-doping code

Funmilayo Fameso 23:16 - 07.12.2023

Nigerian sports is on the verge of facing sanctions from WADA if the country fails to comply with Anti-Doping code before December 8.

Nigerian sports may face sanctions from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for failure to comply with the anti-doping code.

Nigeria has until December 8 to abide by the World Anti-Doping Code or risk the country's flag not flying at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and other global sporting competitions.

The Olympic Games will be held in Paris in 2024

WADA also says the Nigerian Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) will not receive any funding unless the country complies.

Nigeria's Issues with WADA

  • Failure to implement the WADA code and UNESCO convention against doping for over a decade after signing up for it.
  • Failure to set up an Independent Anti-Doping Organization
  • Failure to set up an Anti-Doping Laboratory

It is not the first time the country has faced threats from WADA for failing to adhere to their rules, but with it re-surfacing, the sanctions may be carried out this time.

Mr. Femi Ayorinde, a Board Member of NADA, stated in an interview with CGTN Africa that there's supposed to be a 33 legislatively backed National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO), but what Nigeria has now is a National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC), which is not fully acceptable by WADA. 

A significant part of breaking the WADA code is that for several years, the NADC has been acting under the Ministry of Sports, a situation WADA wants to stop before the December 8, 2023 deadline. 

However, Pulse Sports can confirm that the necessary documents have been sent to WADA for clearance, but whether they will be approved before the deadline will play a vital role in Nigeria avoiding being sanctioned.

In recent years, several Nigerian elite track athletes have been banned for doping violations. Top on the list is Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru, and Grace Nwokocha.

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