Nigeria Content Online

Ahead of next
month’s Commonwealth Games in India, the Minister of Sports and
chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ibrahim Bio has asked
athletes to desist from using performance-enhancing drugs in their bid
to win laurels in India.

He said they should
keep away from doping, which he pointed out could tarnish the country’s
image at the tourney. Three Nigerian athletes: Amaka Ogbuebulam, Gloria
Keamsoude and Vivian Chukuemeka were recently handed various bans for
taking banned substances.

Bio also asked athletes to intensify training in their bid to do the nation proud.

The minister, who
visited the training session of the badminton, wrestling and
weightlifting team yesterday at the Abuja National Stadium, expressed
optimism that the team will do well in India.

During the visit,
lamented that fact that out of the four countries listed for the tour,
only two agreed to issue visa for the team. He however told the
athletes that the commission is working hard to ensure that the teams
embark on international training tour and that it was impressed with
the team.

The coaches and
athletes expressed surprised at the minister’s visit, saying it is the
first time a serving minister would visit the team in camp.

Olukayode Thomas,
the minister’s Special Assistant on Media denied claims that the
minister has abandoned his duty, saying he only travelled for medical
treatment with permission from the presidency.

“It is not true that the minister was away for four months, as he
only travelled at the end of July and returned on August after an eye
surgery. He travelled after getting formal approval from the presidency
and his recent trip for the less Hajj, which was in fulfilment of his
religious obligation, was just for five days and while he was away he
was still in touch daily with the Director General, Patrick Ekeji on
the happening within the commission. So the minister is abreast of
event within the ministry,” Thomas said.