Six registered athletes with antidoping difficulties have been dismissed by the National Sports Commission (NSC), which states that they are not eligible to compete for medals in the current National Sports Festival, also known as the Gateway Games 2024.

Ayabeke Opeyemi, who represents Bayelsa State in gymnastics, Marcus Okon, who represents Akwa Ibom State in para-athletics, and Kareem Shukurat, who represents Lagos State in kickboxing, are the athletes.

Others are Omole Joshua, who represents Bayelsa State in kickboxing, Ogunsemilore Cynthia, who represents Bayelsa State in kickboxing, and Animashaun Sofia, who represents Lagos State in parapowerlifting.

Following a strategic joint meeting of the Games’ Main Organising Committee and Local Organising Committee on Monday, the decision was taken.

The Commission’s director of press, Mrs. Kehinde Ajayi, signed a statement stating that the decision complies with the World Antidoping Agency’s (WADA) guidelines and international best practices.

Bukola Olopade, the director general of the Commission, urged all participating states to pay attention to this in the interim.

He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensure that every athlete compete very clean.

“One of the Commission’s key mandates is to ensure that Nigeria is free of drug problems at both domestic and international competitions,” he stated.

“We are pleased that our sports-loving President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has finally enacted the national antidoping law. The impact of this historic event must be seen immediately in our Sports starting with the current Sports Festival”.