KEMI OMONIYI
Nigeria is running against time to meet a December 8 deadline to fulfill World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), laid down protocols.
Failure to meet the deadline could result in the country’s national anthem not being sung and her national flag not being hoisted when the 2024 Olympic Games get underway in France next year.
WADA has set December 8 as deadline date to ban Nigeria, Tunisia and Venezuela, following their inability to comply with their laid protocols.
WADA, in a letter, stated categorically that Nigeria’s flag will not be hoisted and the national anthem not be sung at the 2024 Olympics Games and other international competitions if they fail to comply with their regulations on or before 8th December, 2023.
Other punishment facing Nigeria includes: ineligibility of Nigeria NADO representatives to participate in any WADA programme, Nigeria will not hold and or participate in any event hosted or organised, or co-hosted by WADA and also the Nigeria representatives will not be able to receive funds from WADA. And lastly, Nigeria will not be eligible to host any international competitions.
Meanwhile, WADA has given the West African country until December 8 to do the needful before dropping the hammer if they fail to act swiftly.
WADA had frowned at the Nigeria NADO’s failure to be independent and be separated from the Ministry of Sports which incapacitated them from conducting doping test as and when due for Nigeria athletes.
