By Bavoriat Clara
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Military Sports Council (CISM), has commenced the First Edition of the Defence Headquarters Clinic on the World Anti-Doping Regulations 2026, reaffirming the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to clean, fair and ethical sports.
The two-day clinic, organised by the Defence Headquarters Directorate of Sports, is holding from 5 to 6 February 2026 at the CISM Secretariat, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, and is designed to sensitise and educate military athletes, coaches, sports administrators and medical personnel on the provisions and implications of the 2026 World Anti-Doping Regulations.
Declaring the clinic open on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim, described the initiative as timely and strategic, noting that it reflects the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to integrity, professionalism, discipline and fairness in sports.
Rear Admiral Kachim said the World Anti-Doping Code and its accompanying International Standards are dynamic instruments that continue to evolve, adding that the 2026 regulations introduce critical updates that demand heightened awareness, strict compliance and institutional responsibility. He stressed that ignorance of anti-doping regulations is no longer an excuse, as violations could attract severe sanctions on individual athletes, institutions and even nations.
According to him, sports within the Armed Forces go beyond competition, serving as vital tools for physical fitness, operational readiness, morale building and international engagement. He added that safeguarding the credibility of military sports programmes is a collective responsibility and that compliance with anti-doping regulations is a strategic necessity for protecting athletes’ careers and preserving the credibility of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Babatunde Philip, said the clinic was organised to strengthen integrity and fairness in military sports through strict compliance and effective enforcement of the new anti-doping regulations. He explained that the two-day training became imperative to sensitise Armed Forces athletes and sports officials on the provisions, implications and consequences of doping violations, as well as to prevent inadvertent breaches.
Air Vice Marshal Philip commended the collaboration between the Defence Headquarters and the International Military Sports Council (CISM), noting that the partnership underscores the importance attached to clean sports and adherence to international best practices within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions, share experiences and ensure that the knowledge gained is cascaded to formations, units and training institutions across all Services to promote a sustainable culture of clean and fair sports participation.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, through his representative, assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to support initiatives that promote ethical conduct, athlete welfare and compliance with international standards, expressing confidence that the clinic would significantly enhance anti-doping awareness and strengthen institutional capacity across the Services.
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