Massive doping control to be undertaken at Niger Delta Sports Festival
Organizers of the first Niger Delta Sports Festival, NDSF, have revealed plans to undertake massive doping control at the event which holds next month in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
To achieve this, a World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, accredited Doping Control Officer, DCO, has been engaged to lead the team.
The objective, according to members of the Main Organizing Committee, is to organize a competition where athletes compete fairly.
‘We want to use the event as one for talent hunting, among other reasons, and that is why we have a scouting subcommittee.
‘It will be counterproductive to see athletes who use performance enhancers get the slot of those who compete cleanly and fairly,’ said a member who prefers anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter.
Sportsnow.com.ng gathered from a former Nigeria international track and field athlete who is also a member of the organizing committee for the festival but also prefers his name not to be mentioned, that the committee understands that doping control is essential at major international games and championships to ensure fairness, protect athletes’ health, and maintain the integrity of sports.
‘The organization of the Niger Delta Sports Festival will be at the level of the Olympics and Commonwealth Games because doping scandals can tarnish the reputation of sports and diminish public trust. By implementing strict controls, we want to preserve the credibility and respect of the Festival.
‘I was an active track and field athletes for several years and won medals for Nigeria. I know what it means to create a level playing for all athletes. This prevent athletes from gaining unfair advantage through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. So, if you want to dope at the Festival, think twice because the testers are ready for yo,’ he warned ahead of the weeklong event.
