By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 16, 2023
Some boxing stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the recent developments involving the World Anti-Doping Agency as WADA’s decision of non-compliance against the Nigerian National Anti-Doping Organization could have significant repercussions for Nigerian boxing, Saturday PUNCH reports.
A negative verdict would affect all Nigerian sports but the situation is particularly troubling for boxing as no Nigerian boxer has qualified for the Olympics since 2016 and Nigeria has not won an Olympic medal in boxing since claiming a bronze in the super heavyweight division in 1996.
WADA’s recent statement revealed that they would be taking Nigeria to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over non-compliance. WADA’s contention revolves around Nigeria’s failure to address critical requirements following an audit conducted in late 2022. Despite Nigeria disputing WADA’s allegations, the impending decision by CAS looms over the nation’s prospects in the Olympics.
Three Nigerian boxers already broke the chain booking their spots at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Omole Dolapo, and Adam Olaore achieved their Olympic dreams after winning their bouts in the final of the Africa Olympic Boxing qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal in September.
Babatunde Laguda, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, expressed disbelief in the notion of Nigeria deserving any form of punishment.
“I don’t think we deserve any punishment,” Laguda told Saturday PUNCH.
“I know that WADA has been monitoring the position of our qualified boxers for the Olympics, they should do the follow ups on them from there. however, I don’t think we should be punished since the issue didn’t even arise from boxing. Since they have taken it to CAS, let us wait.”
However, Abayomi Oyeleye, the national boxing coach, lamented the dire situation. He pointed out that internal turmoil within the federation has exacerbated the problem.
Source Punch Ng
Posted December 16, 2023
You may also like...
Former Golden Eaglets Striker Iheanacho Joins Three-Time Danish...
Tyson Fury stripped of world heavyweight boxing title...
Dutch Beat Latvia As 5,000 Fans Watch referee...
Ex-Eagles stars laud 1XBET over new football tourney...
Salah, Mane score as Liverpool beat Man City...
Arsenal Soccer School Coach, Anyanwu Describes Late Father...
Aribo ready to fight for EPL survival
Adesanya vows to make UFC return after third straight loss
We Apologize To Our Father Dr Peter Odili On Behalf Of His Children Who Have Gone Astray – Edison Ehie
Aston Villa closing in on Rashford loan deal
Adesanya aims for comeback as UFC lands in Saudi
Alonso delighted with Boniface stay
EPL: Wood’s hat-trick fires Nottingham Forest to 7-0 thrashing of Brighton
PDP Governors Announce Date For Party’s NEC Meeting
PDP governors back Appeal Court verdict, endorse Ude Okoye as national secretary
Everton plot £33m Awoniyi move
Barcelona’s Pedri extends contract to 2030
Boniface rejoins Leverkusen training after failed Saudi transfer
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (55,270 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,426 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,456 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,101 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,052 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,039 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,849 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,413 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,501 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,150 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,591 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,021 views)