The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has announced a seven-man Medical and Anti-Doping Commission headed by Professor Ken Anugweje of the University of Port Harcourt.
Other members of the commission are Doctors Paul Onyido, Femi Ayorinde, Effi Usen and Bukola Bojuwoye as well as the technical director of the federation (yet to be appointed) while Inwang Israel Mfon will serve as the commission’s secretary
President of the federation Chief Tonobok Okowa in a press release to TheNicheng.com made the announcement Sunday in Tokyo on the sidelines of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad The national governing body says the announcement of the members of the new commission becomes very necessary as the AFN is determined to ensure Nigeria is removed from the unwanted categorisation as one of World Athletics member federations deemed to have the highest doping risk and considered as a threat to the overall integrity of the sport.
‘The commission has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring Nigeria is, within a reasonable period of time removed from the list of seven countries World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit have named to have the highest doping risk and considered as a threat to the overall integrity of athletics,’ said Okowa.
‘They are also to ensure appropriate anti-doping measures are in place in accordance with World Athletics anti-doping rules so that the federation can prevent a repeat of the disqualification of our athletes at global international competitions.’
The AFN also apologised to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, the Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare and indeed all Nigerians for the unsavoury event which led to the inability of 10 track and field athletes to compete at the ongoing Olympics.
‘As a new board, we have to take responsibility for the inaction of our predecessors and assure Nigerians that appropriate measures will always be taken at all times and in compliance with relevant World Athletics competition and anti-doping rules to protect our athletes,’ he said.
