By Emmanuel Afonne
Chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC) Malam Shehu Dikko, says the Federal Authorities is set to guard the integrity of Nigerian sports activities by imposing strict measures on athletes’ actual age verification and anti-doping compliance.
Dikko made this identified on Monday in Abuja on the opening of the Annual Common Assembly (AGM) of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) organised to evaluation the committee’s actions for 2025.
“Age falsification and doping violations will now not be tolerated beneath the continuing sports activities reforms,” he mentioned.
In line with him, Nigeria has cleared all excellent anti-doping points and is now globally recognised as a clear sporting nation.
“This adopted the signing of the Anti-Doping Invoice and the clearance granted by the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA).
“Every thing required to make Nigeria a clear nation in sports activities has been achieved.
“We’ve resolved the problems that took us to the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport, and as we speak Nigeria is recognised globally as a clear nation by way of doping,” Dikko mentioned.
He disclosed {that a} totally operational Anti-Doping Company would quickly be in place, including that funds had already been supplied within the nationwide funds for the development of an anti-doping laboratory within the nation.
On age integrity,n the NSC chairmtan mentioned the fee had established an Integrity Unit to deal with age discrepancies throughout sports activities federations.
He famous that sanctions had been authorised for anybody discovered responsible of breaching age laws.
“Among the age-related points are cumulative and dates again a few years.
“Whereas some discrepancies could also be on account of poor knowledge entry, accuracy issues, we’ll police federations, coaches and athletes to make sure compliance,” he mentioned.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Habu Gumel, described the AGM as a statutory obligation and a significant platform to evaluation the actions of the Olympic and Commonwealth Video games Fund.
Gumel recommended the shut collaboration between the NOC and the NSC, saying it had contributed to improved performances by Nigerian athletes at worldwide competitions.
He disclosed that about 54 nationwide groups throughout varied sports activities federations participated in worldwide competitions in 2025, with solely 4 returning with out medals.
The Director-Common of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, Bukola Olopade, who corroborated this, mentioned the medal haul recorded by Nigerian groups mirrored improved planning, stronger partnerships with federations.
He additionally mentioned that it was a deliberate concentrate on podium performances fairly than mere participation.
Olopade who was represented by one among his aides, famous that many of the worldwide outings had been supported by the fee, whereas federations additionally made important contributions to make sure athlete participation.
He described the federations as key operational companions within the sports activities growth course of.
The NOC president additionally highlighted ongoing reforms, together with the success of the Elite Athlete Improvement Board, plans to ascertain a Diaspora Athletes Board by 2026, and efforts to institutionalise integrity, infrastructure growth and dispute decision mechanisms in sports activities.
Gumel additional mentioned that Nigeria’s bid to host the Commonwealth Video games had been adjudged credible, with discussions ongoing in direction of a doable internet hosting alternative in 2034.
“Nigeria stays one of many main bidders for the African Video games.”
He lauded President Tinubu for approving the prioritisation of sports activities funding within the nationwide funds, directing that funds allotted to sports activities be launched instantly after funds passage.
Gumel anlso recommended Tinubu for consolidating sports-related allocations right into a central sports activities growth pool.
In line with him, the selections would assure predictable funding for preparations for the Commonwealth Video games, Olympic Video games and elite athlete programmes, in addition to improved welfare for retired athletes.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) studies that the AGM was attended by officers of worldwide sports activities federations, representatives of the Affiliation of Nationwide Olympic and Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
Others in attendance had been presidents of nationwide sports activities federations and different stakeholders within the Nigerian sports activities sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
