Reps Pass Anti-doping Bill

The House of Representatives has passed the bill seeking to domesticate and enforce International Convention against doping in sports and establish the Nigeria Anti-doping Centre.

The executive bill sponsored by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere was passed after scaling third reading at plenary, on Thursday.

The Bill is titled: “Bill for an Act to Domesticate and Enforce in Nigeria the International Convention against Doping in Sport, Establish Nigeria AntiDoping Centre to Implement Nigeria’s obligations to World Anti-Doping Code, International Standards and for Related Matters(HB.1441).”

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Ihonvbere had in his debate on the general principles of the bill at its second reading, said it seeks to implement Nigeria’s obligations to World Anti-doping Code and International Standards.

The House Leader reminded his colleagues that failure to implement the proposed domestication and establishment of the centre before July 26, translates that Nigeria may not participate in the forthcoming Olympics.

“This is a very important bill. It is for the health of sporting activities in Nigeria. We are already a signatory to the Code. Nigeria has been taken to the Court of International Arbitration for Sports for not setting up our Anti-doping Centre which is required of all countries that have signed the Code.

“If we don’t set it up before then (July 26), it means we will not participate in the coming Olympics,” he said.

The Bill was consequently refered to the Committee on Treatise, Agreements and Protocols.

President Bola Tinubu had mid-May transmitted the National Anti-doping Bill 2024 to the House and sought its expeditious passage ahead of Olympic coming up from July 26, 2024.

Tinubu had in a letter read at plenary last Thursday said, “The National Anti-doping Bill, 2024 seeks to create an administrative independent National Ant-doping organisation which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the world anti-doping code and international standard for code compliance with codes by signatories.

“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid imposition of signatories consequences, including loss of hosting rights and participation at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events.”