Stakeholders raise alarm over banned coach’s presence at AFN Golden League

Top Nigerian athletes PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Nigeria’s athletics stakeholders have raised the alarm over the presence at the ongoing Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Golden League of Kwara State coach, Hammid Muritala, who was banned by World Athletics (WA) Integrity Unit for 10 years for doping a minor

Coach Muritala, during a hearing conducted by AFN admitted injecting junior athlete, Fatimah Abdulaziz, with prohibited substance at the National Youth Games in Ilorin in 2021. He was subsequently banned for 10 years.

According to mainlandmetronews.ng, the coach has returned to coaching with the full knowledge of Kwara State Sports Council, where he is retained as a contract staff.

The coach was spotted in Benin City, venue of the ongoing AFN Golden League.

It was gathered that he came in the company of some Kwara athletes to the two-day meet.

“No, he is not supposed to come near any athletics competition or coach any athlete,” said a top Nigeria Doping Agency official.

“He is still serving a ban, which he accepted in writing in a letter addressed to the AFN secretariat. By WA’s Anti-Doping Agency rules, he is even supposed to get a life ban for doping a minor.

“Rule 11 of WADA prohibits inappropriate association with a person serving a dope ban and the Kwara State Sports Council is risking a ban if it is established that he has been coaching their athletes,” the official stated yesterday.

Commenting on the development, AFN Secretary-General, Rita Mosindi, acknowledged that the Athletes Integrity Unit has contacted the Federation on the issue.

“We are gathering picture evidence of his presence in the vicinity of the stadium with athletes and appropriate measures will be taken to avoid any further contact with any