Anti-doping chief expresses concern over weightlifters
Femi Ayorinde, the head of the National Sports Commission (NSC) anti-doping unit, has expressed concern over the reluctance of the commission to test Nigeria's weightlifters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country's weightlifters have not taken part in international competitions as a result of worldwide ban on Nigeria.
Nigeria did not take lifters to the last two editions of the Commonwealth Games in Manchesters and Melbourne because of the ban.
In an interview with the NAN in Lagos, Ayorinde said it was important for the NSC to provide the necessary funds for the purchase of equipment to test the weightlifters before the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) sent its official to conduct an out-of-competition test.
``Nigeria could be banned if more than three athletes failed the test conducted by the international body.
``The earlier we conduct the tests on our lifters the better for us.
``If we don't do that in good time the international body may send people to Nigeria to conduct the test. And if more than three of our lifters failed, the country will be banned.
``But if we conduct the test ourselves and any of the lifters fails the test, the affected lifter will be banned and not the country, a change can be effected,'' said Ayorinde stressed.
He said the NSC had experienced and competent professionals to conduct the exercise.
``All want we are waiting for is the money to purchase the kits and the fees for the payment to the laboratory that will test the samples,'' he added.