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By Amaechi Agbo

All the seven lifters representing Nigeria at the 2021 World Weightlifting Championship holding in Tashkent, Uzbekistan tested negative to the doping examination carried out in Nigeria.

The tests were conducted on the lifters while they were in camp in Lokoja, Kogi State with all the results coming out negative indicating that the Nigerian lifters are free from use of performance enhancing drugs.

Disclosing the outcome of the results over the weekend, a board member and Chairman Medical and Anti-Doping Committee, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation; Dr Steve Olarinoye who led the team of medical personnel that conducted the examination, commended the athletes for adhering to the camp rules and remaining clean ahead of the championship.

Dr Olarinoye said that the outcome of the tests are good news to the development of weightlifting in the country.

“Results of our lifters tested in Lokoja while in camp. They all tested negative. This is a good development for Nigeria, Sports Ministry and the Weightlifting Federation,” he said.

He added that the tests were carried out because the new president of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, Dr Abdul Ibrahim is a listening, practical, professional and progressive leader who wants the very best for the federation.

“The tests and results were made possible because of the listening and good leadership we have presently at the federation in person of our young and vibrant President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul who listens and carries the board members along.”

He noted that the Federation is sure that the athletes are clean before the championship.

Adding that the federation will not stop at that rather it will organise seminars for the athletes on regular bases

“After the championship, seminars will continuously be organised on the effects of consumption of prohibited drugs,” he said.

The 2021 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan started on Tuesday.

The International Testing Agency, ITA is expected to conduct their own tests in the venue of the championship before the competition closes on Friday next week.