Reps to probe Sports Ministry over failed drug tests of team Nigeria at Olympics

The House of Representatives has confirmed an investigation into the causes of the failure of Team Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics regarding doping tests.

Accordingly, the Committee on Sports was mandated to unravel the circumstances to forestall future occurrence.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep Lawrence Ayeni (APC, Osun) on the floor of the House on Wednesday in Abuja.

The House also called for investigation into the activities of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development regarding the failed doping tests by Nigerian athletes at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ayeni said, “The incident of July 20, where the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the World Athletics barred 10 Nigerian athletes from participating in the Games for failing to meet requirements for out-of-competition drug testing.

“There was also the case of the highly-rated Blessing Okagbare who failed a dope test.”

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He said in spite of huge funds made available yearly for the regulatory agencies in the sports sector, adequate efforts have not been made to get Nigeria to the required level.

“This level is where they should be before they can be deemed to have made significant improvements in anti-doping tests,” the lawmaker said.

An invitation has been extended to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, in order to tackle the issues.

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