The National Anti-Doping Committee has initiated the mandatory conduct of random drug tests for players participating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
All 20 clubs are required to facilitate the process for the Test Operatives without prior notice.
In a memo signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, two players from each club will undergo anti-doping tests during a given fixture.
The end goal is to eliminate real and rumoured doping scandals from the NPFL and promote fair play.
The memo also reminded the clubs of the earlier communication that informed them about the initiation of random drug tests for NPFL players.
The National Anti-Doping Committee has now completed all processes for the implementation of the drug tests.
The clubs have also been informed that a Doping Control Systems office is to be activated at all NPFL stadiums to conduct the doping checks.
The Test Operatives must not face any hindrance in carrying out the task.
The memo clearly stated that the operatives of the National Anti-Doping Committee would arrive at the matches without prior notice, except for access to the stadium and players’ submission to the test when demanded.
The four players, two from each team, will be selected using target testing in line with the International Standard for Testing and Investigation and the FIFA Anti-Doping Rules.
The NPFL has set out to implement the exercise in furtherance of the zero tolerance for doping by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Recently, the kits for the tests arrived in the country, and selected operatives have undergone training on its application to ensure a hitch-free test by the Committee.
