Akwa Ibom Doping Scandal: Team Secretary Clarifies – Exclusive

By Samuel Akpan Live from Abeokuta

Janet Bassey, the Akwa Ibom State team secretary, confirmed on Tuesday at Abeokuta’s MKO Abiola Stadium that Marcus Okon, the athlete barred by the National Sports Commission (NSC) for doping, was not part of the state’s delegation to the ongoing National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

Bassey clarified that Okon did represent Akwa Ibom State in Delta State in 2022 and that he was removed from the state’s payroll after his “transgression” was discovered.

“We aren’t shocked at the turn of events because the said athlete was already omitted from the traveling contingent to Ogun,” Bassey told Persecondnews in an exclusive interview at the games on Tuesday.

“We want to clarify that after the festival in Delta State, Marcus Okon seized to be an athlete with Akwa Ibom State. He isn’t on our payroll, and we from the Promise Land always promote clean sport.”

The team’s secretary also expressed confidence in her team’s performance, saying, “We won gold in the first day, and we are ready to win more medals in Day 2.”

She disclosed that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umoh Enoh, has assured athletes of a fat reward for podium finishes, although the packages have not been disclosed yet.

The NSC had earlier issued a stern warning to athletes with anti-doping issues, stating that they are ineligible to compete for medals at the festival.

NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, said the commission’s commitment to ensuring clean competition, saying, “The issue of anti-doping is one important mandate of the Commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drugs problems at both domestic and international competitions.”

Olopade also expressed delight over the recent passage and signing of the National Anti-Doping Bill by President Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying, “We are happy now that the National anti-doping law has finally been passed by our sports-loving President.

“The ripple effect of such a landmark feat must swiftly be felt in our sports starting with the current sports festival.”