Former NWF Boss Urges Paralympians To Shun Drugs

A former President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation
(NWF), Ajibade Fasina-Thomas, has advised athletes for the 2012 Paralympics
Games to stay clear of performance enhancing drugs.

Fasina-Thomas, in an interview with newsmen, made the plea
ahead of 2012 Paralympics Games scheduled for August 29 to September 9 in
London.

According to him, the International Olympics Committee (IOC)
is not lenient with the issue of doping.

“The IOC does not take the issue of drugs likely, there are
devices that can easily detect these banned substance. I urge the athletes for
the Games to be careful.

“They should be mindful of what they eat and they should
consult their team doctor before eating or taking any substance.”

Fasina-Thomas expressed optimism that the Para-athletes will
do well judging by their past records, saying they should learn from Nigeria’s
woeful performance at the just-concluded London 2012  Olympics.

He appealed to government to invest in its athletes, saying
athletes of all nature should be supported.

Fashina-Thomas noted that Para-athletes should not be abandoned
because they were also talented.

Nigeria would feature in three out of the 11 sports at the
Paralympics, the Para-power lifting, Para-table tennis and Para-athletics.