In a bold move to reclaim its status as a powerhouse in international sports, Nigeria is launching a groundbreaking anti-doping campaign being spearheaded by the newly inaugurated Elite Athletes and Podium Board.
The initiative seeks to foster a culture of clean sports, free from doping.
The campaign aims to create a comprehensive system for identifying, developing, and supporting athletes, prioritizing their welfare and promoting fair play. By doing so, Nigeria hopes to achieve sustainable success and dominate the podium in international competitions..
At the helm of this ambitious project is former Nigerian international Yusuf Ali, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer.
In an exclusive chat with Persecondnews in Abuja at the weekend, Ali outlined the board’s goals: “Our mandate is to take Nigeria back to securing double-digit medals at major international games.”
To achieve this objective, the board has identified sports where Nigeria has a comparative advantage, specifically athletics, weightlifting, and wrestling.
While acknowledging that funding poses the biggest challenge, Ali said: “The biggest challenge for the board would be securing adequate funding. If we receive the necessary resources, we are confident that we will surpass our expectations.”
According to Ali, the board is also mandated by the Chairman of National Sports Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko to promote clean sports and a doping-free culture among Nigerian athletes.
To achieve this goal, the board is incorporating sports science into talent identification, which includes anti-doping education at a young age.
The full interview:
PSN: What is the immediate plan for Glasgow 2026 and Los Angeles 2028?
Yusuf Ali: Nigeria is gearing up to reclaim its spot on the international sports stage, with a bold mandate to secure double-digit medals at major international games.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the focus is on sports where Nigeria holds a comparative advantage, including athletics, weightlifting, and wrestling.
PSN: What’s new from your board on doping?
Yusuf Ali: In a resolute bid to tackle doping, Nigeria is adopting a proactive approach to promote clean sport and a doping-free culture amongst its athletes. By integrating sports science into talent identification, the board aims to instill the values of ethics and fair play in its future stars from a very young age.
This comprehensive strategy includes anti-doping education, designed to guide young athletes in understanding the importance of competing cleanly and the dangers of doping.
By instilling these values early on, Nigeria hopes to protect the integrity of sports and uphold the true “spirit of the sport.This bold initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to eradicating doping and promoting a culture of clean sport, fair play, and excellence.
Persecondnews reports that the inauguration of the Elite Athletes and Podium Board marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for athletic excellence.
With a clear vision and strategy in place, the board is poised to drive Nigeria’s athletic success and restore the country’s reputation as a major force in international sports.
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