Sports

Doping Test Results: Elegbeleye Praises NPFL Players for Staying Clean

Published

1 week ago

September 25, 2025

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) players have been commended for a clean bill in the results of random tests carried out by the National Anti -Doping Committee (NADC) of Nigeria.

Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, the NPFL Chairman, welcomed the release of the test results communicated to the league in a letter from the NADC. The agency have also indicated plans to continue with the drug testing exercise in the new season and sought the support of the league.

“I am very satisfied with the outcome of the tests on our players carried out by the NADC and i want to commend our players for staying clean”, Elegbeleye said in his reaction to the content of the letter.

In the letter sent to the NPFL, Odo Raphael Okafor, the

Deputy Director/Head Drug Testing, recalled that the tests were conducted to keep the sport of football clean and add integrity to the NPFL.

“As you are quite aware, NADC in her effort to keep the sports of football clean and add integrity

to the league, in line with the World Anti-Doping Code,started drug testing with the 2023/2024

league season.

“Out of the Thirty-Two (32) Urine sample test carried out in a randomly selected match fixtures, the whole results came out to be negative. This indicates that out of the randomly selected

players, none is using substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This is

commendable”, Okafor wrote in the letter.

The doping agency informed the NPFL that it would resume random testing of players at selected league matches for the 2025/26 season.

“In NADC continued effort and commitment in maintaining fair play, integrity and protecting the health of our sports men and women, we wish to carry out drug testing in some randomly

selected matches in the 2025/2026 league season”, the NADC stated.

In the ongoing season, the NADC indicated that it plans to carry out 16 tests in four match fixtures that would be selected at random.

It sought the support of the NPFL to successfully complete the task.

Elegbeleye assured the agency of support for their activities in the new season, saying, the agency is going to receive total support from the NPFL to ensure another successful round of testing”.

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

1 hour ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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