Clean and Cleared: Team Akwa Ibom’s Glory Okon Marcus Cleared of Doping Allegation at National Sports Festival

Glory Okon Marcus, a para athletics athlete representing Team Akwa Ibom, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after being wrongly listed for doping. After a careful review, it was confirmed that her name was added to the anti-doping list by mistake. She has now been fully cleared and will take part in the National Sports Festival as planned.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) had earlier announced that six athletes were banned from competing at the 22nd National Sports Festival, currently being held in Ogun State, due to doping issues. However, Glory Okon Marcus’s case was found to be an error.

Recall that the Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno had through the Commisioner For Sports in the State Elder Paul Bassey charged the State’s contingent to compete clean at the Sports Festival.

Dr Kehinde Ajayi, Director of Press at the NSC, explained that the Commission is serious about keeping Nigerian sports clean. Only athletes who pass anti-doping checks are allowed to compete for medals.

The NSC said this follows international rules, including those from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). At a meeting between the Main and Local Organising Committees, the NSC repeated its strong stand against drug use in sport.

NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, called on all states to follow the rules and support clean competition. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing Nigeria’s new anti-doping law and said this will help improve fairness in sports across the country, starting with the current festival.

While Glory Okon Marcus has been cleared, the following athletes remain disqualified due to doping issues:

1. Ayabeke David Opeyemi – Bayelsa State (Gymnastics)
2. Kareem Shukurat – Lagos State (Kickboxing)
3. Omole Dolapo Joshua – Bayelsa State (Kickboxing)
4. Ogunsemilore Cynthia – Bayelsa State (Kickboxing)
5. Animashaun Sofia – Lagos State (Para Powerlifting)

Clean sport is the goal and the NSC is making sure it stays that way.