By Jonathan Ugbal
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly over the passage of the National Anti-Doping Bill into law by the lawmakers.
The bill was passed two days ago by the Senate during plenary after the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters during plenary, was presented by its Chairman, Mohammed Monguno.
The lawmakers unanimously adopted the recommendations in the report and the bill was passed on the floor of the house, weeks after the President had sent it to the National Assembly following the approval of a Memo brought before him by the Sports Development Minister.
“For years, the country has grappled with meeting up to the expectations of the World Anti-Doping Organization, despite being a foundational signatory for 25 years,” a statement issued by the Minister’s spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan on Sunday read.
It continued; “Nigeria has been in the eye of the storm due to its inability to domesticate the Anti-Doping Law with the backing of parliament.
“I must thank our sports loving president for his foresight. Immediately the issues were brought before him, hiis foresight and actions have put the country on the right path in sports.
“I also appreciate the National Assembly for the passage of the bill, consideration and approval of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters during plenary. The country will no longer have doubts of its participation in global sporting events, eligibility to host sports competitions amongst other perennial issues,” the Sports Minister said.
The passage of the bill comes weeks before the commencement of the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris, France which over six dozen Nigerian athletes in about twelve different sports have qualified for.
The bill which criminalizes the use of enhancement drugs by Nigerian athletes and sets up an Anti-Doping center will also aid the country’s case at the Court of Arbitration for Sports where the World Anti-Doping Agency had dragged the country to, seeking to ban the country from participating in international competitions.
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