Sports
Doping Test Results: Elegbeleye Praises NPFL Players for Staying Clean
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”.
Sports
Dr. Ogunbiyi Emerges New President of Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation, Vows Greater Development
Joel Ajayi
Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi on Saturday emerged as the new President of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation, taking over from Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd).
In an election held at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Ogunbiyi polled all 13 votes cast to win unopposed in what stakeholders described as one of the freest and fairest elections in recent times.
Similarly, Mr. Kayode Abulazeez was elected Vice President after securing 13 out of 13 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ogunbiyi commended the outgoing president for laying a solid foundation for the Federation.
He noted that under Porbeni’s leadership, Nigeria achieved notable milestones, including participation in Olympic qualifiers.
“Over the last 10 to 15 years, the Federation has gained national recognition through sacrifice and commitment. We must now build on that foundation to take rowing, canoeing, and sailing to the next level,” Ogunbiyi said.
He stressed that infrastructure development and nationwide talent scouting will be top priorities for the new board, adding that Nigeria’s abundant water resources hold great potential for the growth of water sports.
“We will consolidate on what has been achieved and, with the support of government agencies and corporate sponsors, I believe that within one to two years we will witness massive progress in this sport,” he added.
Ogunbiyi also acknowledged the challenge of Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture, promising that the Federation will not only construct new facilities but also maintain existing ones in line with international standards.
He pledged to align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in driving sustainable development in the sport.
On his own, the Vice President Kayode Abulazeez, appreciated the delegates for their confidence and stressed that infrastructure remains key to discovering hidden talents across the country.
“Nigeria is blessed with diverse water bodies, and we must make rowing, canoeing, and sailing inclusive sports developed across all regions,” he said.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Olumide Bamiduro, described the election as seamless and transparent, noting that strict adherence to rules and regulations ensured its credibility.
“This is one of the freest and fairest elections conducted in recent times. My charge to the new board is to work in unity and harmony to move the Federation forward,” Bamiduro stated.
He also commended the management of the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman, and Dr. Bukola Olopade, Secretary-General, for providing the enabling environment for the successful conduct of the polls.
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