Let’s keep it cle ean
OCM president wants athletes to stay away from drugs
OCM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria wants all athletes taking part in the Asian Games in Indonesia to stay away from drugs, and he will not tolerate it if they plead ignorance if caught. “We’ve appointed chef de mission deputies who know about doping. They know what should and should not be taken.” Now, it’s up to the athletes to do their part. >
PETALING JAYA: It should not be another embarrassing multi-sport Games for Malaysia.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria has warned the athletes for the Indonesia Asian Games to stay away from taking any form of drugs to ensure that it will be a clean Games for Malaysia for once.
The last two Games has been tainted with doping issues despite all efforts taken to create awareness among the athletes.
“This time, eyes will be on athletes in Indonesia. We’ve a credible team, including experts to take care of the athletes,” said Norza.
Chef de mission deputies - Dr P. Vellapandian, director of sport performance division in the National Sports Institute (NSI) and Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema, SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) Medical and Anti-Doping Committee head are hands on doping matters.
“We’ve appointed deputies, who know about doping. They know what should and should not be taken.
“Both are here with the team and there should not be any case of athletes claiming ignorance in consuming drinks or food that consist banned stuff. We’ve done our part and it’s now up to the athletes to stay away from drugs,” he said.
At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April this year, weightlifter Mohd Fazrul Azrie Mohdad (pic) tested positive for anabolic steroids while diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee had to return two gold medals won at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year after she also tested positive for sibutramine.
At the last Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xien was tested positive for the banned stimulant sibutramine and gave up the gold she won in the women’s nanquan.
Meanwhile, Norza said the bulk of athletes have arrived in Jakarta and Palembang.
“The football competition has started. The opening ceremony is tomorrow (Aug 18) and our athletes have left in batches, so far all is smooth,” said Norza.
Norza is hoping for bowling, silat, karate and cycling to deliver the goods so that Malaysia can meet their seven-medal gold target.
“There could be surprises too like in sepaktakraw. We’re hoping for some of the potential athletes to defy the odds too.
“The competition will be tougher but this is a good stage to assess our preparation ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games. For hockey, this is a platform to win qualifying tickets for Olympic Games.”
Asked whether Podium Programme would be scrapped if Malaysia fail to win seven gold medals, Norza said: “It’s the decision of the new Sports Minister (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman). We’re not the custodian of the Podium Programme. It’s up to the government of the day and we’ll follow their decision.”
A total of 40 sports with 462 medal events will be contested in Indonesia this time and Malaysia’s chef de mission and OCM deputy president Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi will have a lot to answer if Malaysia fail to improve their previous result.
In Incheon four years ago, Malaysia bagged five golds, 14 silvers and 14 bronzes to be ranked 14th overall.
We’ve done our part and it’s now up to the athletes to stay away from drugs. Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria