Towards ensuring drug-free sports in Nigeria, minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has assured that Nigeria will remain compliant to the world anti-doping rule.
He made the assertion while declaring open the stakeholders meeting between Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the African Institute of Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) in Abuja, yesterday.
According to him, there is a need to raise awareness with relevant information and anti-doping regulations, especially compliance with relevant Articles of the world regulatory body – the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and SAIDS which prescribes primary goals and guidelines as well as information and education programs for drug-free sports
‘’Nigeria will remain compliant to the anti-doping rules in order to promote clean sports in Nigeria free from drugs scandals and to promote the value of fair play with a view to positively help in influencing attitudes and behaviours of our athletes, ‘’he said.
“Nigeria risked being delisted by the World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA but with the quick intervention by the ministry in setting up National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in November 2018 saw NADA updating all the necessary information for the nation to avoid being delisted.”
The Minister also revealed that the ministry will sign a bilateral agreement with the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport SAIDS in order to strengthen the national capacity of the anti-doping system.
The director of WADA, Africa Office, Mr Rodney Swigelaar lauded government’s efforts in ensuring free drug sports in Nigeria, while adding that the National Anti-Doping Agency, NADA should be allowed to discharge their duties without any form of interference.
On his part, the CEO of SAIDS, Mr Khalid Galant said South Africa will continue to collaborate with Nigeria to achieve the laid down rules set by both countries with the help of the South African government.
