Sports
Commonwealth Games: Federation To Ban Athletes, Coaches For Doping
The Nigeria Para-Power lifting
Federation (NPPF) has threatened to impose a life ban on athletes and coaches that indulged in doping before or during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Games would hold between July 23 and August 3.
The Technical Director of NPPF, Samuel Ekeoma, made the threat in a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Ekeoma said the decision became necessary to ensure the country maintained its clean record of countries that were free from performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.
“We have ensured and sensitised our athletes for them to be free from drugs knowing that the country had drug scandals in the past.
“In respect of that, we have sounded a warning that any coach or technical official found indulging or encouraging doping will be banned for life from our programmes,’’ Ekeoma said.
He also said the federation had intensified preparations for the Games as 14 athletes were currently in Ibadan for the final phase of camping.
According to him, we are doing fine in Ibadan in terms of training and improvement; though other federations are in Abuja but we are not regretting it.
“Our case is a peculiar one, because of the accessibility of public buildings; so, we have a comfortable accommodation in Ibadan that is disability accessible; it is familiar to the athletes and officials.
“However, we have 14 athletes in camp presently but two of them are training partners and will not be going to Scotland with the team,’’ Ekeoma added.
On the federation’s training tour, the technical director noted that the National Sports Commission (NSC) had approved Korea for the tour but was still waiting for the departure programme.
According to Ekeoma, the federation has enough time to embark on training tour since Para-Power lifting events would not start immediately at the Games.
“You know our competition is not starting immediately; we will start after the weightlifters must have ended their events.
“So, we still have a little time to go for the training tour if at all it will hold.
“We are hoping to depart the country for Korea any moment from now no matter how short the tour will be.’’
He commended the NSC and its Anti-Doping Department for their efforts aimed at educating athletes and coaches on the dangers associated with doping.
Ekeoma said that anti-doping seminar recently organised in Abuja for the seven Commonwealth Games sports had afforded the federation the opportunity to re-examine its internal punishment for doping violators.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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