Nigeria Leagues
NPFL board to commence drug test for players from Matchday Nine
By Wale Mustapha
Chief Operating Officer, COO of Nigeria Premier League, NPL board, Davidson Owumi has revealed that the drugs testing for players will commence in the weekend of Matchday Nine.
Owumi confirmed the development on a popular football WhatsApp group, Family United by Sports, FUBS on Saturday.
The former Enugu Rangers’ General Manager was reacting to statement from Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barrister Chris Green who expressed worries over the alarming rate at which players induced themselves before league matches.
“Now, drugs, I mean illicit, prohibited, and banned drugs, are being used freely by some players in our league to enhance their performance unabated,” Barrister Green lamented.
“It’s high time the authorities introduced doping control in every centre, deploying the experts to take random samples.
“Soon, if care is not taken in an international game, they will catch players smoking ‘Igbo’ or taking ‘Mkpurumini. It must be made mandatory that tests be carried out randomly after games.”
While corroboratiing NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, Owumi revealed that arrangements are in place to carry out this from Matchday and will be very brutal on erring players.
Owunmi explained, saying: “We have gotten the drug test kits for Sample A from London and some personnel have completed their training on the know how of the usage and beginning from this weekend, a random test for players will commence.”
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