The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mogaji has cleared the air on the ban placed on Kwara Athletics Association, following the circumstances surrounding the suspension of coach Hammid Muritala by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
AFN, in a news release had said that Kwara State Athletics Association is henceforth, banned from all athletics activities in the country, following its association with the said Coach Hammid Muritala.
According to AFN, ”This action also amounts to violation of Rule 2.9 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules: The Kwara Athletics Association shall remain suspended, pending the outcome of further investigation,” the release said.
Coach Muritala was banned for 10 years for admitting to doping junior athlete, Fatimah Abdulazziz with banned substances during the 6th National Youth Games held in Ilorin Kwara State in 2022.
At a Press Conference today, at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Mogaji said that all records at his disposal does not indicate that the Commission has any association with Coach Murtala ever since he was suspended, especially as he is equally serving a suspension term with the Commission.
Even as he said that AFN is yet to communicate the Sports Commission on the notice of ban, the Commission has taken steps, as it has queried all officers involved as to how Coach Murtala was allowed to travel with the team to Edo State for the Golden League.
“Honestly, heads will roll at the Sports Commission. This is because, we have enough evidence to prove that we have done the right things, as we also have the list of the travelling contingent without his name. How would his name be on our list knowing fully well that he is on suspension?
“The Kwara State Athletics Association had suspended the said Coach since 14th October 2022, while the Kwara State Sports Commission followed suit, suspending Coach Murtala from track until the determination of the case, in a letter dated October 28th, 2022.
Among the officers queried are the Head of Coaching, Patience Lawal, Association Secretary, Aliyu Khafilat and the existing coach of the athletics team, Coach Awe Oluwaseyi Adeniyi.
