Weightlifting to be included in 2020 Sukma after anti-doping efforts

PUTRAJAYA: Weightlifting will be included in the 2020 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Johor after all.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the efforts taken by the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) to clean up their image has convinced the committee to reinstate the sport into the Sukma programme.

The image of the sport has been tainted following many doping issues in the past, and the organisers wanted the national body to put their house in order before including the sport in the Games from July 11-19 next year.

In July, the Malaysian AntiDoping Agency (Adamas) conducted random doping tests on five national weightlifters, including Azroy Hazalwafie Ahmad Izhar and Aznil Bidin, and the results were negative.

Syed Saddiq said the recent tests also influenced their decision to give the sport a second chance.

“We’ve included weightlifting based on the recent positive development as they’ve taken efforts to solve the doping issues,” said Syed Saddiq after the Sukma executive committee meeting at the Menara KBS yesterday.

“However, pre-Sukma screenings will be conducted as per usual on weightlifters and other athletes.”

He added that the committee have also included silambam as a demonstration sport following the request from several states.

Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail lauded MWF’s initiatives to eradicate the doping problem.

“MWF have revised their constitution to combat doping and have also set up a disciplinary committee to deal with doping cases,” said Shapawi.

“MWF will work closely with NSC and the state sports councils in the appointment of state coaches for their Sukma athletes. This is one of the doping preventive measures,” he said.