WADA Congratutes Olumide Oyedeji, Others Over Appointment

World Anti-Doping Agency, (WADA), has congratulated former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji and others who have appointment in the 20-member Athletes Council.

WADA had named thirteen members before the publication of other seven members including the Third-Vice President of Nigeria Olympic Committee was mentioned. 

The Chairman of Nigeria Athletes Commission, Olumide’s name was listed among the last seven members of the 20-man Council published WADA’s press statement on Wednesday. 

It reads, “WADA announces Group 3 members selected for 2023 Athlete Council and publishes complete membership rowing. 

Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) communication of 6 September 2022 regarding the Agency’s new 20-member Athlete Council, WADA is pleased to announce the final seven members (referred to as Group 3), as selected by the Athlete Council Appointment Panel.

“Today, WADA is also publishing the complete membership of the Athlete Council (effective 1 January 2023), which is composed of athletes’ representatives chosen by athletes and grouped as follows:

WADA President Witold Bańka said: “On behalf of WADA, I would like to extend our congratulations to the final seven members that have been appointed to the Agency’s Athlete Council. The Appointment Panel worked hard to ensure all Group 3 applicants were given careful consideration as regards skills and diversity, with the ultimate goal of having as representative a body as possible. We are pleased to share that the Council’s members, more than half of which are women, hail from 19 countries from six continents, represent 17 sports, including five Paralympic sports, and come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds. We look forward to working with the Council to Raise the Game for athletes around the world.”

The seven Group 3 athletes selected by the Appointment Panel are listed below in alphabetical order by last name. AHRENS, Gaby, Shooting, Namibia, ESCOBAR, Adriana, Rowing, El Salvador, GOMEZ, Iñaki, Athletics Canada, O’LEARY, Patrick

Paracanoe, Ireland, OYEDEJI, Olumide

Basketball, Nigeria, PINI, Ryan, Swimming, Papua New Guinea, TAN, Yuhan, Badminton, Belgium.

In total, 54 athletes applied to the Athlete Council, 50 of which were deemed eligible as per the criteria outlined in Article 3 of WADA’s Athlete Council.

 After reviewing all applications, the Appointment Panel conducted 18 athlete interviews and consulted with the WADA President. They also conducted background and reference checks as part of their rigorous process before making their final selections. To conclude the process, the Appointment Panel provided a detailed report to WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) and Foundation Board (Board) as well as Groups 1 and 2 of the Athlete Council, as required by the Appointment Procedure.

The purpose of the appointment process for Group 3 members was to fill skills and diversity gaps not otherwise sufficiently provided for by Groups 1 and 2 and thereby ensure that the Athlete Council can effectively represent athletes and conduct its work. More information regarding the skills and diversity criteria can be found in September’s call for applicants.