Sports
Drug Scandals Threaten India’s 2036 Olympic Dream
India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games is under growing threat as the country battles widespread doping scandals that have cast a shadow over its sporting reputation.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has repeatedly raised concerns about the high number of Indian athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs, a problem acknowledged even by the country’s top star.
“Doping is a big problem in India among our athletes,” Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra admitted earlier this year, urging competitors to “eat well, rest well and work hard” instead of relying on banned substances.
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In response to international scrutiny, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recently formed a new anti-doping panel, while the government has introduced a national anti-doping bill to tighten enforcement, expand testing, and “ensure the highest standards of integrity” in sport.
Michael Payne, former IOC marketing director, told AFP that while many past Olympic hosts also had doping issues, India must convince the IOC it has strong policies in place.
“The bigger issue is confidence in the overall operational delivery capabilities of the host, and there India has a lot of work to do,” he warned, referencing the corruption-marred 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), India remains one of the world’s worst offenders among nations conducting more than 1,000 tests.
From 5,606 samples collected in 2023, 213 returned positive, with stanozolol, a synthetic steroid, being the most common banned drug.
Athletics and wrestling account for the majority of violations. In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris 2024 Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended.
Experts say many athletes turn to doping in hopes of escaping poverty, since sporting success in India can lead to government jobs with the police or armed forces, offering lifelong financial security.
“Athletes know that they can be punished but still put their careers at stake,” lawyer Saurabh Mishra, who has defended athletes in doping cases, said. “Getting a medal will help them clinch a government job.”
Sports medicine specialist Saranjeet Singh added that while some violations stem from ignorance, others result from calculated risks or even coaching influence.
“They cannot achieve the level of performance that they want at international level and use banned drugs for a short cut,” he said.
With countries like Indonesia, Turkey, Chile, and Qatar also vying for the 2036 Games, India faces an uphill battle to clean up its image.
Beyond doping, analysts argue the real challenge lies in proving its ability to deliver a corruption-free, smoothly run Olympics.
Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the national team.
The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, confirmed his decision in an emotional statement, saying the time had come to step away from international football.
Messi said the decision was painful but maintained that he had given everything to the national team and now had “nothing left to give.”
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“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply,” Messi said.
“I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team.
“I’ve given it my all, I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some really great young players coming through behind me who deserve their chance.”
Messi retires as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances for the country.
His announcement comes after Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi revealed that he had written his retirement message on 21 July, two days after the final defeat.
The decision also follows the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 after a long illness.
Messi said the loss had made him even more certain about ending his international career.
“Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before,” he said in a message posted on Instagram.
Despite leaving international football, Messi’s club career will continue with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made his Argentina debut in 2005 as a substitute in a friendly against Hungary.
His first appearance lasted less than a minute before he was sent off after his arm and elbow connected with Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczak.
He would go on to establish himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning two Copa America titles and finally lifting the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
Messi also finished the 2026 World Cup with eight goals and four assists. His 12 World Cup assists are the most recorded by any player, with 10 coming in knockout-stage matches.
He is the second-highest scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22.
In international football overall, Messi’s 125 goals put him second behind his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 146 for Portugal.
Messi previously retired from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final, but later reversed his decision.
This time, however, the Argentine icon appears ready to close the international chapter of his career for good.
“Thank you for all the love over the past 20 years,” Messi told Argentina supporters.
“I’m going to miss hearing you from the pitch so much.
“Now I’ll be just one of you, always cheering and supporting from the sidelines.
“I’m leaving with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my team-mates, moments we’d only dreamed of.
“It was incredible to have experienced this with you all. I love you!”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress has summoned an emergency meeting of its members to deliberate on recent developments within the football governing body.
The meeting is scheduled to hold on September 26, 2026, at 12 noon in Abuja.
Those expected to attend include chairmen of State Football Associations, club representatives, members of the Referees Association, Coaches Association, Players Union and the Nigeria Referees Association.
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According to an invitation signed by Yakubu Sarma on behalf of the Congress members, the meeting will focus on the “current developments” within the NFF, as well as the status and functioning of the federation’s Executive Committee and secretariat.
The Congress is also expected to examine the implications of the developments for the governance, stability and independence of the NFF.
Another major item on the agenda is the consideration of “appropriate measures” under the statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
The Congress will also deliberate on the way forward following the recent developments within the federation.
“All members are expected to attend,” the invitation stated, urging members of the Congress to confirm their attendance.
The Congress added that details regarding travel and accommodation arrangements would be communicated to members.
The emergency meeting comes amid growing attention to the administration and governance of Nigerian football, with the Congress expected to review the situation and determine its next steps.
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited, have commended the Board of the Nigeria Premier Football League under the purposeful leadership of its Chairman, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, for successfully securing a historic partnership deal with Euromatch as the new Official Title Sponsor of the elite league in the country ahead of the 2026/27 season.
In a press statement made available to journalists by GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, shortly after the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, he described the deal as a bold and encouraging step that reflects the determination of the NPFL Board to reposition the elite league as a more commercially attractive asset with great brand value.
The sponsorship deal which is valued at $7.5 million over a three-year period—approximately ₦10.5 billion—represents another significant milestone in the ongoing repositioning and commercial transformation of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
“GTI Group believes that the entry of Euromatch into the Nigerian football ecosystem is a strong vote of confidence in the renewed vision, structure and growing commercial appeal of the NPFL. Therefore, we congratulate Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, the entire NPFL Board, the clubs, players, officials, football stakeholders and, indeed, millions of passionate football fans across Nigeria on this landmark achievement.
“The unveiling of Euromatch here in Abuja signals the dawn of a new and more promising era for elite football in Nigeria. It reinforces the conviction that with the right leadership, sound corporate governance, transparency, innovation and strategic partnerships, the NPFL can continue its journey towards becoming one of the most competitive, commercially viable and globally respected football leagues in Africa.
“As strategic partners to the NPFL, GTI is committed to the growth and sustainable development of Nigerian football. We are encouraged by the progress being recorded by the NPFL and we believe that the arrival of more credible corporate partners will accelerate the transformation of the beautiful game in the country,” Ekejiuba said.
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In his speech at the unveiling ceremony, Otunba Elegbeleye explained that beyond acquiring the league’s naming rights, the new partnership would play a key role in strengthening NPFL’s financial value and visibility. Elegbeleye further commended the trajectory and mileage the league has recorded, emphasising that his administration is no longer worried about bringing the spectators to stadium but how to manage the surging crowd.
“The partnership between the NPFL and Euromatch have brought renewed energy and greater possibilities to the domestic game. Beyond the financial value of the sponsorship, this development has the potential to further strengthen the league’s commercial profile, attract greater investment, improve its competitiveness and create more opportunities for players, clubs and other stakeholders within the football value chain.
“We also call on more corporate organisations, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, manufacturers and other private-sector players to come on board and support football development in Nigeria. Corporate investment is critical to building a stronger and more sustainable football ecosystem capable of nurturing young talents, improving infrastructure, strengthening clubs and creating opportunities across the entire football industry.
“Therefore, the success of the NPFL is not the responsibility of the League Board alone. It requires a collective commitment from government, corporate bodies, investors, the media, clubs, supporters and every stakeholder who believes in the enormous potential of Nigerian football as NPFL continues its journey towards the great future it truly deserves,” he stated.
Speaking to reporters after the unveiling ceremony, The Group Chairman of Euromatch, Mr Sacli Semih, affirmed that Euromatch is in the country to ensure that NPFL is lifted to European standard in terms of quality and visibility, while admitting that football talents abound in the country.
“We believe that by the end of the second year of this deal we are sure to get back our ROI because we are eager to help transform the NPFL to European standard. There are enormous talents here and our efforts on the NPFL will help our brands compared to other markets.
“We trust the NPFL, though it’s currently underrated, but people don’t understand that so many good players in Africa who play in other top leagues in the world are from Nigeria. The demand of the contents coming from the action of these players in the NPFL is going to be high going forward and this is why we agreed to invest in the league.
“We believe we are going to be successful doing business with NPFL and we don’t envisage seeing any challenge because Nigerians are very hardworking people who never give up easily when there is a challenge,” he concluded.
Present at the unveiling ceremony are: President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau; NPFL Chairman, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye; Presidential Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare; Members of the NPFL Board; NPFL Secretary/Legal Adviser, Danladi Ibrahim Esq; COO of NPFL, Prince Davidson Owumi; GTI Executive Director, Nelson Ine; The Group Chairman Euromatch, Mr Sacli Semih; ex-internationals like Daniel Amokachi, Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia, Brown Ideye; Director-General National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace as well as the representative of the Director General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama and other distinguished personalities present.
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