Sports
ITA Suspends Nigerian Boxer Over Dope Test
Nigerian lightweight boxer, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance on Saturday ahead of her opening fight at the Paris Olympics.
The International Testing Agency said last Saturday that the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and African Games champion tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list, in an out-of-competition doping control collected on Thursday.
“The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Rules,” the ITA said on their website.
The suspension means Ogunsemilore is barred from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She had been scheduled to face Taiwan’s Wu Shih Yi in a round of 16 bout on Tuesday.
The ITA stated that Ogunsemilore has the right to challenge the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division and request analysis of her B-sample.
The development has further depleted Nigeria’s boxing team, leaving only Adam Olaore as the sole medal hopeful for the nation in the ring.
Dolapo Omole, the third Nigerian who qualified for the Olympics in boxing, also had to withdraw days before the Games due to injury.
Olaore will face Aibeck Oralbay of Kazakhstan on Sunday (today) at 10:48 am in the first preliminary round as he begins his quest for medals.
Boxing has historically been one of Nigeria’s strongest Olympic sports, but the country has seen declining fortunes in recent editions. Nigeria last won a medal in boxing at the Atlanta 96 Olympics.
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.