The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has taken a significant step in the global campaign against doping in elite football leagues.
Matchday 15 fixtures witnessed the implementation of dope testing at two different venues, signalling the league’s commitment to fair play and integrity.
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Dr. Akinwunmi Amao, a renowned anti-doping expert, led a four-member team in testing selected players of Sporting Lagos and Bayelsa United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos.
Simultaneously, another team of sports medicine personnel conducted tests in Benin City, where Bendel Insurance hosted Abia Warriors.
Dr. Amao expressed delight at the integration of dope control in African football leagues, drawing parallels with the well-established practice in big professional leagues in Europe for over a decade.
He stated, “Dope test in football has taken firm root in big professional leagues in quite a number of countries in Europe for more than a decade while recently it’s being integrated in the African football leagues.”
Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the NPFL, lauded the successful maiden tests, describing them as “quite unprecedented” and announced that they would be a permanent exercise in the league. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy not only for the abuse of substances but also for their use by players.
Dr Amao commended the players and officials of the two teams in Lagos for their awareness of doping control and cooperation during the exercise.
He highlighted the importance of fair play in sports and commended the NPFL for taking steps to ensure the league remains free from substance abuse.
“The introduction of dope testing in NPFL matches is a good development in the right direction and it raises the level of compliance with international rules/regulations as well as the integrity of the league management and administration,” remarked Dr. Amao.
“There was good cooperation from the selected players and teams’ officials. The level of awareness of doping control information among the players and their technical officials is substantially good and encouraging,” submitted the Chairman of the Scientific and Medical Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
Pledging ongoing support, Dr Amao expressed his commitment to the ‘fair play’ principle, not only through dope testing but also through advocacy to create awareness of the negative perspectives of doping.
He emphasized the importance of education and information strategies in the fight against doping in football and other sports disciplines.
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