By Zhiroh Jatau – Lagos
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has distanced itself from the current two-year ban handed to Imto Aobong Nse Uko by the Integrity Unit of World Athletics for doping violations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months, a violation of anti-doping regulations.
This is contained in a statement signed and issued to sports journalists on Monday, 7th July 2025 by Mr. Maxwell Kumoye, Chairman of AFN Media Hub.
The AFN explained that the whereabouts filings are the responsibility of any elite athlete, “Athletes are required to provide the following whereabouts information quarterly
Home address, Email address, Phone number, and an address for overnight accommodations.
Regular activities, such as training, work, and school, are the locations and the times of these activities.
The Federation stated that her failure to do the needful is the reason why she was handed a two-year term which expires in July 2026.
“Athletes are role models and they have an important responsibility to protect the integrity of their sport. Providing whereabouts is about protecting the athlete’s right to clean sport.”
You can be tested by relevant National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs), International Federations (IFs) and Major Event Organisations (MEOs). And AFN can’t conduct a Whereabouts.
“It’s the International Federations and National Anti-Doping Organisations that are responsible for determining if you are required to provide whereabouts information or not, it’s not part of their duties.
However, the AFN will continue to carry out its drug advocacy campaign to the athletes, coaches and technical officials involved in the business.
The last of such seminars took place during the just concluded National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games 2024 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria.
The AFN insist that it will stick to its due diligence in communicating Anti-doping rules to athletes through its doping department headed by Professor Ken Anugweje.
The Federation emphasised that athlete discipline is crucial and that the Federation will continue to spread anti-doping principles to athletes.
Imaobong Uko was given a 2-year ban for Whereabouts Filing Failure.
Whereabouts is the responsibility of each athlete, and the platform is so simple that every clean athlete can file their whereabouts without stress.
Where the athletes are having issues with whereabouts, they reach out to the Federation, who in turn take it up with the NADC and from the chat, that process was followed, but the athletes on her part still need to update their whereabouts.
Notice of whereabouts filing is sent to all athletes regularly, and Imaobong was sent several notices, both from AFN and NADC, so she should own up to her responsibility and not blame the Federation.
However, the Federation is organising Doping Seminars regularly where Topics such as Whereabouts Filing, TUE (Therapeutic Use Exception), Anti-Doping Rule Violations, etc, are regularly taught.
“The AFN is constantly working to ensure all our athletes compete clean. Hence, we are organising Doping Seminars and more Testing.
“Athletes should endeavour to join the AFN campaign for Clean Sport online with WADA and AIU,” the statement advised.
The Federation also appealed to the media to help disseminate its awareness advocacy programs and campaign as it will go a long way in helping athletes and the sport of athIetics.
