Sports
SWAN Lauds NASS’ Decision To Probe Disqualification of 11 Athletes In Tokyo
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN FCT Chapter has hailed the directive by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to the House Committee on Sports to beam its searchlight on the disgraceful disqualification of11 Nigerian athletes at the just concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The House on Wednesday, September 22nd looked into the disqualification of Blessing Okagbare and 10 other Nigerian athletes over different doping violations, asking the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, to come and explain why Nigeria was outrightly disgraced before the world.
In a Press statement issued on Thursday by SWAN FCT Secretary Chris Onokpegu in Abuja, Reacting to the development in Abuja, chairman of the SWAN FCT chapter, Bunmi Haruna, hailed the leadership of the House for taking the initiative to ask questions and proffer suggestions on how to prevent reoccurrence of such shameful events in the future games.
He said, “We are happy that the leadership of the House have finally listened to the cries of Nigerians to probe the shameful acts that also saw the disqualified athletes protest on the streets of Tokyo. The events that happened in Tokyo is shameful and should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet like nothing happened.
“Everywhere we went, people kept asking why 10 Nigerian athletes got disqualified at the Olympics and the persons that are supposed to provide the answers have been walking the streets freely as if nothing happened,” he noted.
The SWAN chairman further stated, “We hope this will not be just another enquiry. We hope the House will get to the root of the events that happened before and during the Olympics to forestall future occurrences and waste of tax payers money.”
It will be recalled that on Wednesday at the plenary, Mr Babatunde Ayeni, representing Ijesha South Federal Constituency, while moving a motion, lamented the incident of July 20, 2021, where the Athletics Integrity Unit of the International Association of Athletics Federations barred 10 Nigerian athletes and highly-rated Blessing Okagbare, from the Tokyo Olympics for failing to meet requirements for out-of-competition drug testing and use of banned substances respectively.
“The House is concerned that despite the huge funds being made available yearly for the regulatory agencies in the sports sector, adequate efforts have not been made to get Nigeria into the category where they would be deemed to have made significant improvements in anti-doping tests.”Ayeni said.
The Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has since mandated the Committee on Sports to investigate the immediate and remote cause of the failed doping test to forestall future occurrence.
It will also be recalled that the Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare promised to probe the show of shame at the Tokyo Olympics but has yet to inaugurate the committee.
Sports
NHF President Nkom, Prof. Agbo Attend 50th FIH Congress in Doha
Cyril Ogar
President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, and NHF Board Member, Professor Ediga Agbo, are representing Nigeria at the landmark 50th Congress of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in Doha, Qatar.
The congress brings together hockey leaders and administrators from across the world to deliberate on governance, policy direction and strategies for the future development of the sport.
Their participation provides Nigeria with an opportunity to engage with international stakeholders, exchange ideas and explore initiatives that can strengthen the growth and administration of hockey in the country.
Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Nkom said, “Our participation in this historic congress is an opportunity to learn from global best practices, build strategic relationships and identify initiatives that can contribute to the sustainable development of hockey in Nigeria.”
Agbo also emphasised the importance of translating international engagements into practical progress at home, saying, “The ultimate goal is to ensure that the knowledge and opportunities gained from this congress contribute meaningfully to the development of hockey in Nigeria, particularly in strengthening our structures and creating more opportunities for growth.”
The 50th FIH Congress marks a significant milestone for the international governing body, providing a platform for discussions and decisions that will shape the future of hockey globally.
For Nigeria, the engagement underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing the sport, strengthening its administration and creating a sustainable pathway for hockey development across the country.
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