Will Hafifi’s case ‘B’ too costly for MWF?

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) will decide by next week whether national weightlifter Mohd Hafifi Mansor will have his B sample tested.

Hafifi, the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist in men’s below 69kg category, has been provisionally suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for testing positive for the anabolic steroid oxymetholone at the Australian Open in Melbourne in March.

MWF acting secretary Abu Hanapah Ismail said the costs involved in having Hafifi’s B sample tested, which includes travelling to witness the test, could run up to tens of thousands of ringgit and was one of their main concerns.

“Our president (Datuk Ong Poh Eng) is in contact with the IWF regarding the matter as well as with various parties to gain more information.

“We’re working out how the B sample test will be paid for – whether from MWF’s pocket or by other means.

“It could cost more than usual as the A sample test was initially conducted in Australia.

“However, we’re not sure where the B sample will be tested.

“The B samples were tested in New Delhi, India, previously,” he said.

Abu Hanapah also said that the national body were keen to find out what caused the delay in the result of the test.

“We were only informed of the result two days ago (Thursday) when the sample was taken in March.

“It’s a bit disappointing as Hafifi had gone on to win gold at last month’s Commonwealth Championships in Gold Coast, Australia, which also served as a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Hafifi faces a four-year ban if found guilty of using the steroid.

Oxymetholone is considered to be one of the most powerful anabolic steroids available. It is also known to cause weight gain and other serious side effects.