Iskandar ‘smokes’ his way out
BA of Malaysia (BAM) took a strong stand against smokers when they dropped shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin from their Asian Games squad yesterday.
BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said based on men’s singles coach Misbun Sidek’s recommendation, Soong Joo Ven will take up Iskandar’s spot.
“After we caught Iskandar smoking at the Thomas Cup, we gave him a warning, but it is learnt that he had also missed training after the holidays. Misbun then suggested we drop him from the Asian Games with Joo Ven as his replacement,” said Norza after chairing BAM’s council meeting yesterday.
“We respect Misbun’s decision and the council today endorsed it.”
According to Norza, BAM with the assistance of the National Sports Institute (NSI) have identified five to six top players who are smokers.
“The council through the rules and disciplinary committee will take action against smokers. We have decided to start a no-nicotine policy in BAM. We will soon conduct a test on all players.
“Those who are found to have traces of nicotine in their lungs will be given a three-month grace period because that is how long nicotine is said to remain in the body.
“After three months, we will conduct the test again, and if there are still traces of nicotine, the player will be dropped.” he added.
The other Asian Gamesbound players are World No 6 Lee Chong Wei, Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, Goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong, Teo Ee Yi, Ong Yew Sin, Chan Peng Soon, Goh Soon Huat, Goh Liu Ying, Shevon Lai Jemie, Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean.
Meanwhile, the national body also confirmed that six players, who were listed under category B by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), will not make the trip to the Asian Games in Indonesia in August.
BAM also decided that all tournaments (both local and international) in the country must be sanctioned by the national body.