Doping: Banned Kwara State coach, Muritala still coaching athletes
By Uzor Odigbo
World Athletics Integrity Unit has raised concern about Kwara State coach Hammid Muritala who was banned for ten years for doping a minor, but he is still coaching athletes.
Coach Muritala during a hearing conducted by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria admitted injecting junior athlete Fatimah Abdulazziz with prohibited substance at the National Youth Games in Ilorin Kwara 2021.
He was banned for ten years, but coach Muritala has returned to coaching with the full knowledge of the Kwara State Sports Council where he is retained as a contract staff.
According to Mainlandmetronews.com The coach was spotted in Benin City venue of the AFN Golden League. It was gathered that he came in the company of some Kwara athletes to the two days meet.
“No he is not suppose to come near any athletics competition or coach any athlete,” said a top Nigeria Doping Agency official.
“He is still serving a ban, which he accepted in writing in a letter addressed to the AFN secretariat.
“By World Anti Doping Agency rules he is even suppose to get a life ban for doping a minor.
“Rule 11 of WADA prohibits inappropriate association with a person serving a dope ban and the Kwara State Sports Council is risking a ban if it is established that he has been coaching their athletes.”
Commenting on the development AFN secretary-general Rita Mosindi acknowledged that the Athletes Integrity Unit have contacted the Federation on the issue.
“We are gathering picture evidence of his presence in the vicinity of the stadium with athletes and appropriate measures will be taken to avoid any further contact with any athlete,” said Mrs. Mosindi