ADAMAS CANNOT FIGHT ON ITS OWN

Agency wants NSAs to cooperate

THE National Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) has demanded that national sports associations (NSAs) give their full cooperation to combat doping in the country.

Adamas director Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said the agency is not able to fight doping issues on its own.

“We need officials who usually accompany the athletes and also officials in charge of NSAs to work together with us and give their full commitment,” said Dr Ramlan yesterday.

“Anti-doping initiatives need to be supported not only by government agencies but they also require support and partners from NSAs.”

Ramlan praised Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) and Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) for often working together with Adamas to curb doping among their athletes.

He added that Adamas is not able to follow athletes wherever they go and thus it is the athletes’ responsibility to ensure that no banned substances enter their system, including through food and drinks.

“To be a world champion, an athlete needs to ensure that they remain free of doping. If they can’t do this, they can only dream of being a world champion,” added Ramlan.

“I do not want all the hard work put in by the athletes over the years go to waste just because they were careless.”

Commenting on the recent doping cases among Malaysian athletes involving the appetite suppressant, sibutramine, Ramlan again stressed the importance of being careful of what they consume though he did express his sympathy for those who had unwittingly consumed it.

Sibutramine, commonly found in slimming supplements, is not a performance-enhancing substance.

“We have to accept the fact that sibutramine is a banned substance, full stop. It is not allowed in any product now.

“They need to be more careful and ask themselves what is it they are consuming, even if it was given to them by their family or friends because they themselves will pay the consequences if they test positive.”

Wendy Ng, who tested positive for sibutramine at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games last year, has been slapped with an eightmonth ban by the world body.

National hockey goalkeeper S. Kumar had also tested positive for the same substance last year though he has yet to attend a hearing for his case.