A veteran dope fighter leaves the field

RECOGNISED worldwide but stuck on the same grade for donkey years, Nishel Kumar has had enough, and he decided to pack his bags and return to the National Sports Institute.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) acting director and recently the acting assistant director was twice bypassed when the full-time director and assistant director’s posts were filled.

That despite Nishel having 14 years of experience apart from having been given numerous anti-doping assignments worldwide. For those who came in later, they will have to learn the ropes fast, as they no longer have Nishel to rely on at Adamas.

The Tunku Besar Secondary School Tampin student was among a long list of hockey players from the sleepy hollow who made a name for themselves at national level, and then in other fields.

Nishel first donned national colours at the 1996 Azlan Shah Cup as a nippy forward, and then retreated from the scene before making a return for the 1999 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

After completing a Sports Science course at Universiti Malaya, the now 43-year-old joined the National Sports Institute on contract.

When Adamas broke off from NSI and were placed under the Sports Ministry, he rose from the ranks and became acting director of Adamas.

Doping is a specialised section of sports, and as cheats become more sophisticated in trying to run faster, jump higher and become stronger, people like Nishel keep them in check by conducting random doping tests.

Anti-doping officials would get suspicious if an athlete, who is average for one year, breaks a national or regional record.

The athlete concerned would be pulled aside and his or her urine will be tested.

In Malaysia, some of the high profile doping cases involved sprinter Azmi Ibrahim, shuttler Lee Chong Wei and hockey goalkeeper S. Kumar.

They all had their reasons but people like Nishel had their reasons to suspect and investigate.

Some dopers took it knowingly while some claimed they were ignorant of what they consumed even though it made them faster and stronger on the field.

Adamas is one agency that needs dope fighters who are always in the know, on the go, and on the ground as well. If not, the substance abusers are going to have a field day.

So, good luck to Adamas as well as Nishel in their future endeavours.

Adamas is one agency that needs dope fighters who are always in the know, on the go, and on the ground as well.”