Habu Gumel, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, says athletes from grassroots sports need to be educated on sexual harassment and anti-doping for a better future in international competitions.

Mr Gumel said this on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the two-day seminar of the Nigeria Athletes Commission in Abuja.

“It’s high time that the necessary authority should bring more enlightenment for them, especially from grassroots; most of them, the elite athletes, are aware of this,” he said.

Represented by Ademola Are, the former director of Grassroots Sports Development, Mr Gumel said the athletes’ commission needed to work with the sport ministry and NOC, especially on harassment and sexual abuses.

“We found out that when athletes are harassed and sexually abused, they are unable to talk because of being intimidated. They are afraid of being dropped from taking part in the sports Programmes or activities,” added Mr Gumel. “We need to go back to the grassroots levels because it’s very important to lay that solid foundation to secure their future in the sports and the career they choose.”

The seminar, which started on Monday, ended on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. 

(NAN)