NPFL to begin random doping tests for players

The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced that it will commence random doping tests for players. 

According to a statement on Tuesday, Gbenga Elegbeleye, chairman of NPFL, said the initiative will aim “to arrest and stamp out illicit drug use in the league”.

He said testing equipment had been acquired from the UK, and the process would begin soon.

“We are committed to join the NFF, CAF, FIFA and the global campaign for eradication of illicit substance use in sports, and this will commence soon with random tests of our players,” Elegbeleye said.

“We are poised to arrest and stamp out illicit drug use in the league where it exists, and we plan to collaborate with relevant government agencies to launch an enlightenment campaign which will include displays on our matchday stadium boards and media channels.”

On his part, Davidson Owumi, NPFL chief operating officer (COO), said the board had begun training personnel on using the testing kits.

He added that “players have the next two weeks to detoxify themselves” of any performance-enhancing drug or face the sanction.

“There’s ongoing training of personnel on the use of these kits, so players have the next two weeks to detoxify themselves to get rid of any illicit substance in their system as those who fail the tests will be subjected to the full applicable sanctions,” the NPFL COO said.

The 2023/24 NPFL season commenced on Saturday, with N150 million as the prize money.