KUMAR BITES THE BULLET

Keeper will not challenge positive test result from Asia Cup

SAIFUL AFFENDY SAPRAN saifulaffendy@nstp.com.my of two years by Wada.

The 38-year-old is now provisionally suspended and he faces the possibility of missing next year’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India on Nov 28Dec 16. The hearing is scheduled next month as Kumar has opted not to test his ‘B’ sample.

“FIH will be taking action against Kumar.

“He is an experienced international who has amassed 295 caps and has contributed a lot to the national team.

“He had undergone about 10 doping tests and tested negative in all of them prior to this.

“MHC will support Kumar even though he has decided not to challenge the result.

“I hope he will not be punished severely,” said Subahan.

Kumar said: “I do not want to waste time by opting for a ‘B’ sample test. I want the hearing to be held as soon as possible as I want to get back to the game.

“I am shocked and also bemused as I have never failed a dope test before this.

“In the World League Semi-Finals in June, my urine and blood were tested and I was cleared,” said Kumar.

National coach Stephen Van Huizen has Hafizuddin Othman and Hairi Abdul Rahman as options in Kumar’s absence

“Kumar has contributed a lot to Malaysian hockey.

“Hafizuddin and Hairi need to seize the opportunity in his absence.

“It’s not that we do not want Kumar but for now, he is suspended and we cannot do anything about it.

“I am shocked as he is a mentor to the other players in the national team,” said Van Huizen.

Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) director Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said Kumar’s failed dope test will not affect the team’s result in the Asia Cup where they finished second.

“According to Wada’s rules, results can only be overturned if more than two players in a team fail a drug test,” he added.