Ghanaian light heavyweight boxer axed from Commonwealth games for failing doping test

Shakur Samed, a light heavyweight boxer representing Ghana at the ongoing Commonwealth games has been suspended for failing a test.

According to officials of the games being held in the United Kingdom, a sample from Samed violates the anti-doping rules of the event.

“The boxer’s sample ‘A’ was found to contain a prohibited substance (diuretic and masking agent – furosemide).

“He has therefore been suspended with immediate effect. He and the Ghana Commonwealth Games Association have been informed”, a statement from the officials stated.

Shakul Samed was expected to fight Jean Luc Rosalba of Mauritius in the Light Heavyweight he will forfeit the match following the suspension for doping.

The Commonwealth Games Federation stated that they have “a zero-tolerance policy to doping in sport”, adding that they “seek to maintain the integrity of the Commonwealth Games by running a comprehensive anti-doping programme that focuses equally on education, prevention and testing.”

Shakul Samed was one of Ghana’s boxers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games.

A total of 126 athletes and coaches will represent Ghana at the Commonwealth Games in various disciplines.

They will compete in athletics, badminton, boxing, beach volleyball, cycling (road race), field hockey, judo, table tennis, triathlon, para-cycling, weightlifting, and squash.

The country has so far won 57 medals since the inception of the Games in 1954, including 15 gold, 18 silver and 24 bronze.

Meanwhile, two members of Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team have been replaced ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

This means Ghana will not be represented by the same group that participated in the just-ended 2022 World Athletics Championships.

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