There is palpable fear and uneasy calm in the Nigerian sports fraternity as the country gradually risks missing out on the 2024 African Games in Accra, Ghana, and the Olympic Games in Paris, Francs.
This is because of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s stance on the country and Venezuela over the inability of the two countries to come clean on Doping issues.
The head of the Nigeria’s National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO), Professor Ken Anugweje, said he has no comment to make to the public for now following the WADA dragging the country to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
2023 Nigeria NADO Consequences
The consequence of WADA’s action is that Nigeria’s flag is not to be displayed at any sporting event – continental and global – from Tuesday when WADA announced its decision.
Consequently, except drastic actions are taken, Nigeria’s flag will not be displayed at the African Games that begin in Accra on March 8. The same will be applied to other sporting events, especially the Olympic Games in Paris in July/August.
By WADA’s action which means Nigeria is not anti-doping compliance, the country will not be allowed to host any championship.
Prof. Anugweje who is also the director of University of Port Harcourt Sports Institute in a message to Sports Village Square remarked that since the WADA/Nigeria dispute is at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, “I am unable to make any public statements about it.
“At the appropriate time, I will provide you with sufficient information on the matter.”
Hameed Adio, a former captain of the Nigerian team to the 1980 Olympics remarked on a WhatsApp platform of Nigerian Olympians: “That’s the result of treating important issues with kid gloves.
Courtesy: Sportsvillagesquare.com
