The National Sports Council (NSC) has confirmed that four Malaysian athletes tested positive for doping at the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) that took place in Sarawak last July.
Two national archers tested positive for sibutramine – a banned substance which supposedly aids weight loss. Two other athletes – boxing and weightlifting – tested positive for diuretics and steroids, respectively.
All four athletes won a medal at Sukma though NSC director Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail refused to disclose the identity of these athletes – claiming they need to be given a chance to file and appeal and push for their ‘B Sample’ to be tested.
“It’s a regrettable news. These young athletes have got to realize they are not doing their country a service by engaging in doping. We can advice and give them opinions, but the final decision lies in their hand.
“For now, we don’t intend to disclose their names because we want to give them a chance to admit or appeal against the decision by filing an application to get their ‘B Sample’ tested,” he is quoted as saying by Utusan.
“An official letter will be sent to the respective sporting associations, before it’s delivered to the athletes themselves. They’ll have two weeks to file an appeal,” Shapawi added.
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