MWF impose one-year ban on weightlifters following doping cases

PETALING jAYA: The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) have decided on a self-imposed ban by not sending their athletes to international competitions for a year following a series of doping cases involving their lifters.

The ban comes into effect from today until May 31, 2019.

Newly-elected MWF president Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the drastic move was meant to show the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) that they are taking the matter very seriously.

“This is a timely decision that I believe we must take for the future of MWF, and the sport as a whole,” said Ayub, after chairing the executive committee meeting for the first time since succeeding Datuk Ong Poh Eng two weeks ago.

“We hope by doing this it would send a clear message to the IWF that we do not tolerate doping within the national team and we will do whatever it takes to eradicate the problem.”

Four national weightlifters – Mohd Fazrul Azrie Mohdad, Muhd Hakimie Haikal Nordin, Muhd Zaidi Nordin and Ronny Jesos – have been tested positive for anabolic steroid stanozolol recently.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mohd Fazrul failed a preGames doping screening and will have to return the medal he won in Gold Coast last month, while the juniors were caught by surprise tests done by the IWF on March 28.

The decision made by MWF meant the national team will not be taking part in several major competitions including the Asian Games in Jakarta from Aug 18-Sept 2 and the World Championships in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, from Nov 1-10.

Despite a one-year international break, MWF said the national level competition will go on, albeit with a stricter ruling that requires all the weightlifters to be certified dopefree by the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas).

“We have made it compulsory for all athletes to be screened by Adamas before they can compete in the local competitions including the upcoming Perak Sukma ( in September),” said Ayub.

“As for the national team, although we are taking a one year off, we will still continue with training to get them ready for the second half of next year.”

In addition, the MWF have also formed an Anti-Doping Independent Committee that will comprise officials from the National Sports Institute, National Sports Council and Adamas to help rejuvenate the image of the sport in the country.