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Damola
Osayomi may be handed a six months ban if the recommendation of the
doping committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is
ratified by the world athletics body (IAAF).

Sunday Bada, the
Technical Director of the AFN, stated that the committee has finished
its deliberation and have forwarded their decision to the IAAF. “The
AFN doping committee have met and have made appropriate
recommendations,” he said. “For Osayomi, her case is a mild one because
it is a case of stimulant and the punishment ranges from a warning to
six months or one year ban.” Osayomi was stripped of her gold medal in
the 100 metres event of the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi,
India, after testing positive to a banned substance methylhexaneamine,
which was only recently added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s
prohibited list.

Aside Osayomi,
another Nigerian, Gabriel Okon, also tested positive to the same drug
and would most likely serve out the same length of ban as Osayemi.
However, Folsahade Abugan, who was caught over the use of steroids at
the same Games will face a lengthier ban. “Her case is different as she
was caught for using steroids,” said Bada. “She would have to serve out
the maximum ban, which is between two and four years because that is
what the rule says.” Abugan who is a former world junior 400 metres
champion had tested positive for a steroid and waived her right to have
her “B” sample tested at the Commonwealth Games. Her silver medal in
the 400 metres event as well as the other silver medal she won as part
of the Nigerian quartet in the 4×400 metres event were subsequently
taken away from.

Preventive measures

Meanwhile, the
National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Ibrahim Bio, has stated that
stringent measures will soon be put in place to curb a re-occurrence of
drug related issues in the country’s sports circles. Bio said the
measures included the setting up of committees and agencies, as well as
fashioning out disciplinary and enforcement plans against offending
athletes, coaches and officials. “In order to forestall a repeat of the
incidence at future global events, the NSC is proposing a number of
measures or steps which, if implemented, will go a long way to keep our
athletes drugs-free under strict supervision,” he said.

He said the NSC was setting up a national anti-doping committee to
co-ordinate all anti-doping activities in the country, in line with the
World Anti-Doping Agency codes and regulations. “Any athlete who
henceforth tests positive for drugs use will, in addition to the
sanctions from the federation, be made to face disciplinary and
punitive actions which will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.