The National Council on Sports, NCS, has imposed a sanction of N10 million on states whose athletes commit offences at future sports engagements organised by the National Sports Commission.
At the end of a week-long summit held in Calabar with the theme, “Business of Sports – Creating Jobs, Wealth, and Utility under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” NCS approved the introduction of appropriate sanctions against age-cheating offenders in national sports competitions.
The affected competitions include the National Youth Games, National Intermediate Games, school sports competitions and other age-graded events.
In the communiqué signed by the chairman of NSC and NCS, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, it was stated that the N10 million fine imposed on an offending state will cover administrative and investigative costs.
He added that the sanctions may also include criminal charges against all adults involved in the offences.
The communiqué listed a range of penalties for individual offenders, including immediate disqualification and the withdrawal of all medals, points, records and rankings.
According to the communique: “First-time offenders will be slammed with between one to two years suspension from all competitions.
“Second-time offenders will have extended suspension or permanent ineligibility, depending on the severity of the offence.”
The council also approved that coaches, team officials and officiating officials found to be involved in any offences will be issued formal warnings and or have their licences suspended for between one and three years, as well as face immediate removal from official duties.