Sports
C’ Wealth Games: NSC Cautions Federation On Doping
The Director-General of the
National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has charged federations whose sports would be featured at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, to avoid doping while representing the country.
Elegbeleye said this in Abuja, during a sensitisation programme on Anti-doping for Secretaries, Head Coaches and Technical Directors involved in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Team Nigeria would feature in eight sports at the Games scheduled to hold in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.
The director-general said though, he expected Nigeria to put up an impressive performance, the athletes should do the country proud without using performance enhancing drugs.
“We lost one of the 11 medals we won at the 2010 edition to doping and by records, we had three athletes that tested positive to doping at the same edition.
“But this time around, we don’t want to have such records, so we believe that the sensitisation starts from the federation coaches and technical directors.
“They should monitor the athletes because they can be caught, but may just want to try it out. So, we want everyone to take the issue of doping seriously.
“We want to win because of good preparations and we have the ability to do it, without enhancing drugs because it tarnishes the image of the country,’’ Elegbeleye said.
He said the coaches should not hide any of the athletes on the assumption that they were prospective medallists.
“Do not hide anybody who you see as suspicious, just because you see such as a potential medallist.
“There is no competition for federations on who comes first in terms of the number of medals won and your jobs are not at stake.
“So, we want you to win honourably,’’ the NSC director-general said.
Elegbeleye said the commission was in the process of inviting the Secretary of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), to ensure that Nigeria was not blacklisted in combating doping.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could surpass its previous achievements at the 2010 edition of the Games held in New Delhi, India.
“We won 11 gold medals at that edition but now, we should be able to win at least 15 gold medals.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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