Nigeria: Para Swimming President Reads Riot Act Against Doping

President of Nigeria Para-Swimming Federation, Hon. Amobi Chikwendu has warned his athletes not to spike their system with performance-enhancing drugs in order to excel in their sporting carrier or risk ban.

Hon. Chikwendu warned while addressing his athletes and officials at the end of the two-day para-swimming trials held at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

He warned that the federation would not tolerate any act of doping hence any athlete caught napping will be banned even before the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) comes up with its own sanction.

The President described doping as an ill wind that blows no one any good as it has destroyed the lives of many athletes and their promising carrier, hence must not be allowed to exist within the system. He charged the coaches to be vigilant by monitoring the progress of their athletes from time to time and should report any negative development discovered.

To the athletes, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Para-Athletics Federation advised them never to embark on self-medication nor the use of local herbs, but rather, they should consult their doctors whenever they are sick.

Meanwhile, the President commended the swimmers for attending the maiden trials in large numbers and promised that those who excelled will be selected to represent the country in upcoming international events including the forthcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games qualifiers, but subject to the approval of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development