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

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