The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has announced a seven-man Medical and Anti-Doping Commission headed by Professor Ken Anugweje.
Tonobock Okowa, President of the federation made the announcement yesterday on the sidelines of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo.
The national governing body said the announcement of the members of the new commission became very necessary as the AFN is determined to ensure Nigeria is removed from the unwanted categorisation as one of World Athletics member federations deemed to have the highest doping risk and considered as a threat to the overall integrity of the sport.
“The commission has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring Nigeria is within a reasonable period of time removed from the list of seven countries World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit have named to have the highest doping risk and considered as a threat to the overall integrity of athletics,” Okowa said. “They are also to ensure appropriate anti-doping measures are in place in accordance with World Athletics anti-doping rules so that the federation can prevent a repeat of the disqualification of our athletes at global international competitions.”
Others members of the commission are Doctors Paul Onyido,Femi Ayorinde, Effi Usen and Bukola Bojuwoye as well as the technical director of the federation (yet to be appointed) while Inwang Israel Mfon will serve as the commission’s secretary.
Meanwhile, the AFN also apologised to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, the Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare and indeed all Nigerians for the unsavoury event which led to the inability of 10 track and field athletes to compete at the ongoing Olympics.
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