Oshodi Judo Foundation Launches Campaign Against Doping

OMOTAYO KOLAWOLE PETER

A historic step in the onslaught against doping in sports has been taken by the Oshodi Judo Foundation.

The foundation which is a brainchild of the President of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Dr Musa Oshodi has launched a campaign against doping.

Though the campaign would be formally launched in January next year during the Commonwealth Games trials, a symbolic presentation was made in Lagos on Monday.

Media aide to the NJF President,  Mr. Ikpo Igbinoba revealed some details about the campaign while speaking with reporters.

According to him “An all-out war against doping has been declared by the NJF President, Dr. Musa Oshodi and the Oshodi Judo Federation has been positioned for the battle”.

Giving details on the project, Mr Igbinoba revealed that the slogan of the campaign is  “Say No To Doping in Judo”.

The campaign against doping,  according to  Mr. Igbinoba was very dear to Dr. Oshodi both as a medical doctor and as an athlete who competed without doping throughout his active days.

He said “The anti-doping campaign is one of the cardinal programmes of Dr. Oshodi’s Presidency”.

“Even before emerging as the NJF President, Dr Oshodi had been involved in different anti-doping programmes”.

“Now that he is the President of the NJF,  he has a broader platform to deal with the doping problem”.

Mr. Igbinoba said a range of activities had been lined up for the New Year to pursue the anti-doping crusade.

 “The Oshodi Judo Foundation will organise seminars across the country to sensitise judokas about the risks associated with doping”, he said.

Mr. Igbinoba quoted  Dr.Oshodi as saying that doping was an ill wind that blows no one any good.

According to the President, “Apart from the disgrace an athlete and the team or country suffers when caught, the long term consequences could be devastating”, 

“Some of those banned substances could be injurious to the health of the athlete and instead of enjoying the retirement years, the athlete will be struggling with different health challenges”.