AAG: NSC Warns Athletes Against Doping

Congolese U-23 defender (5) on the ball during their game with Nigeria’s Dream Team VI at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday

The Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhassan Yakmut, has warned weightlifters and wrestlers preparing for the 11th All-Africa Games to be ready to pay the full price if caught doping.
Yakmut who gave the warning  in Abuja while addressing the athletes during their training said they had no reason at all to go into doping.
He also said he was ready to ensure better athletes welfare and the development of a database to ensure athletes’ post-career life was made better.
The NSC Director-General was on a routine visit to the camps and training venues of all the teams preparing for the Games.
“A number of our athletes have been caught doping in recent years, especially in your events, and this had greatly affected the development of these sports.
“But we don’t want this again, because we know you can do better and perform excellently without drugs,’’ he said.
Yakmut who then asked the athletes to pledge not to be involved in doping at all, to which they responded positively, said the Commission was ready to punish those caught doping.
“Now that you have made a pledge not to be involved in doping, you should know that this is a pledge that should stay with you for life and can haunt you for life if you go against what you have pledged.
“We at the NSC will however ensure that, for bringing dishonor to our fatherland Nigeria, you are not only punished by the international sports federations.
“We will ensure that you are made to pay for it here in Nigeria with all available sanctions and the full weight of the Nigerian laws in respect of those who bring disgrace to their country,’’ he said.
The NSC director-general said the Nigerian athlete now have no reason to be involved in doping and no reason also not to excel.