Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation Anti-Doping Committee Assures Its Commitment to Help Fight Doping In the Sport

By Deinma Abaku

The Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation Anti-Doping Committee has discouraged athletes from the indiscriminate use of "Nutritional Supplements" and assured its commitment to help fight doping in the Sport.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation Anti-Doping Committee, Dr Justice P. Akpotu, the Federation acknowledge the pressure athletes face on the field and suggested good balanced nutrition, proper hydration, adequate training and rest.

The statement read, “We at the Anti-Doping Committee understand that Mixed Martial Arts is demanding as a sport and we equally acknowledge the temptation athletes may be faced with to engage in the use of banned substances and methods, however, in line with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) we encourage and strongly advice all participants to abstain from Doping. As a committee we are working hard to ensure that our athletes remain Clean all year round.

“We are poised to go a step further just like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and IMMAF to discourage the indiscriminate use of "Nutritional Supplements" which seems to be the norm amongst athletes. This is due to the fact that it may be difficult to ascertain the contents of some of these products and some may contain banned substances not declared on their labels. As a solution to this growing problem, we believe and recommend that with good balanced nutrition, proper hydration, adequate training and rest, athletes will be in top
form to compete, hence, they do not need to dope and we strongly condemn doping.”