Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye on Friday reiterated the resolve to enforce zero tolerance for substance abuse by players and fans.
Procurement of Dope Test kits was the first step by the NPFL to signal its plans to stamp out substance use in the league and Sports Medicine experts led by Dr Akinwunmi Amao had earlier this season commenced the random testing of players using the kits imported from England.
The NPFL have also been displaying anti-drug use messages in field perimeter boards during matches as part of its campaign to create awareness in the mind of players and fans
During a visit to the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Elegbeleye told the Director General, General (rtd) Buba Marwa that a collaboration between the two bodies will give stronger impetus to the campaign to keep illicit substances out of football.
“Part of the challenges of Sports in our country is drug abuse and we recognise that with your leadership, the agency has played an inspiring and impactful role in the fight to rid the larger society of illicit drug.
“The NDLEA can assist us achieve the zero tolerance for substance abuse by working with us to carry out random drug tests and organise orientation sessions to sensitice players and fans on the dangers of drug use and abuse.
“Once they know that they can be tested, they would refrain from use of illicit substances”, Elegbeleye stated.
In his response, Marwa praised Elegbeleye for a purposeful leadership that has repositioned the league and expressed the agency’s willingness to partner with the NPFL in efforts to keep the league clean of unhealthy substances.
“I have followed the domestic league and have noted the remarkable innovations you have been introducing to develop the NPFL.
“The NDLEA is ready to support you in the fight against drug use just as the agency not relent in the offensive action against illicit drugs in the country”, Marwa had responded.