SAZALI’S SUFFERING CONTINUES
Former national bodybuilder hit with a further 4-year ban
FORMER national body building champion, Sazali Samad now has to pay the price for his controversial action in joining the China Sports Show Fearless Bodybuilding Physique & Bikini Competition in Shanghai recently as his ban has been extended by another four years.
The Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation’s (MBBF) disciplinary and anti-doping committee meted out the added punishment, which means that the 10-time Mr Universe, whose initial ban was supposed to end on Sept 22 next year, will be banned until Sept 22, 2023.
“After hearing the explanation given by Sazali Samad during the disciplinary and anti-doping committee’s session, the committee have decided to add to his ban with a punishment of another four years.
“This prevent him from taking part in any championship and bodybuilding activities at all levels as soon as his initial ban ends on Sept 22, 2019.
“This means that with the added sentence, his ban will only end on Sept 22, 2023,” according to a media statement issued by MBBF yesterday.
The statement also said that the committee had summoned Sazali on Wednesday to explain his participation in the competition in Shanghai on May 25- 28.
This is because Sazali took part while still serving his initial ban of four years, which is from Sept 22, 2015 to Sept 22, 2019 for testing positive for anabolic steroid, which is a banned substance, during a dope test on Sept 1, 2015.
“Referring to 10.12.1 of the World Anti-Doping Code, it states that an athlete who is serving a ban, is not allowed to participate in any competition and activities organised by the Signatory Code or any party linked to the said code.
“Apart from this, he is also not allowed to take part in programmes organised using government funds (other than approved anti-doping, rehabilitation and awareness programmes),” the statement added.
The statement also mentioned that the World Anti-Doping Code clearly states that an athlete who is serving a ban or suspension is not allowed to participate in any event, show or tournament that is organised by a body, association or joint effort by the Signatory Code regardless if the athlete is taking part independently or representing a club, association or country.
Sazali said after the hearing on Wednesday that the punishment was unfair and of a “double standards”.
He claimed that a few former bodybuilders who were suspended or banned also committed a similar offence but no action was taken against them.
“There were those from my team last time, in the police team as well, but no action was taken.
“In fact some became national coaches and even judges. So why others can be made national coaches?” he said.