Lagos- A Lagos State Athletics Coach, Ibrahim Showunmi on Friday advised the authorities to ensure that regular anti-doping seminars were organised for existing and upcoming athletes in the country.
Showunmi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the step would help to educate athletes on the dangers of getting involved in doping.
He said that experts from world anti-doping agencies should be invited as resource persons to pilot the seminars as a way of cubing the menace of doping in athletes.
“ We must adopt a realisable measure to ensure that our athletes do not embarrass the country by failing in dope test when they go for international competitions.
“Another important thing is to use the medium to secure the future of these athletes so that they can achieve their objectives and bring glory to the nation.
“ Such seminars will guide them, even when they need to take medication during ill-health, they will not go into self-medications as they are already aware.’’
He also advised that such programmes were necessary and should be made part of federation’s activities in the year as a way of encouraging athletes to develop.
According to him, Nigeria has capability and quality athletes who can make the nation proud, if given proper mentoring and training in every area.
“We are blessed in this country, the talents are there but we must put things in order and make sure that athletes’ careers were thoroughly guided,’’ he said. (NAN)