Players were not asked to undergo tests: STAM

THE Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (STAM) have claimed that their players were never asked to undergo doping tests at the Thai King’s Cup World Championship last month.

The national body felt that the whole issue arose due to the team’s boycott of the team final.

STAM secretary general Datuk Mohd Radzuan Abdullah disclosed that they conducted an investigation on the six players involved earlier this week and found that none of them were notified or asked to take part in the test.

The International Sepak Takraw Federation (Istaf) provisionally suspended six national players and three team officials for not undergoing a doping test in the competition in Bangkok.

STAM president Datuk Ahmad Ismail (pic) said he was disappointed that the whole issue has tarnished the reputation of the national team and pointed out that the players had cooperated with anti-doping officials at the tournament.

“Our young tekong Syahir Rosdi was called up for anti-doping procedures after we won the inter-regu final on Oct 19 which shows that we do cooperate with the (anti-doping) officials,” said Ahmad at a press conference after meeting with National Sports Council officials in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

“But none of the players were asked to do so (on the day of the team final).

“This whole issue is very disappointing as it gives all our players a bad name.

“Their family members are asking them why they ran away and if they really took drugs. People are assuming they did take banned substances, which is terribly unfair on them.”

Ahmad, who declined to name the individuals involved, said the three officials will be called up for investigation later this week.

The players have until Dec 6 to file an appeal to Istaf while the officials have a day longer.

“We have called up the players and are also helping them to write their appeals to Istaf. We will make sure they are sent before the deadlines.

“The officials will be called up later as they are more mature and can deal with the pressure better.”

Malaysia had won the inter-regu title on Oct 19 after defeating Myanmar 25-23, 21-10.

They, however, boycotted the team final against hosts Thailand on Oct 23.

The second regu of Izurin Refin, Ahmad Aizat Azmi, Khairul Zaman Hamir Akhbar, Afifuddin Ramli and Safarudin Abu Bakar did not take to court in protest over what they claimed was bias judging in the opening match.

Syahir Rosdi, Syazreenqamar Salehan and Azlan Alias had lost in straight games in the opener.

The team were accompanied by national head coach Abdul Talib Ahmad, assistant Rashidi Nordin and manager Zambri Abdul Rahman.

Evading drug testing is a serious offence under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations. Those found guilty face up to four years suspension. By Fadhli Ishak