norza-zakaria

By Aarong Ch’ng

Coaches need to play a bigger role especially in young athletes to make sure that they understand the thin line between using medication as against the risk of doping.

This came in the wake of four athletes being accused of four athletes who failed their dope test at the recent SUKMA in Sarawak.

Two archers were found with the banned substance sibutramine while a weightlifter and a boxer had been found to have taken steroids and diuretics respectively.

“The issue of doping is not only for current national athletes but it has to start from the younger generations. They have to be aware,” said Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, the Deputy President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

“Even though an athlete might just be taking a sleeping pill, the pill has to be checked properly so that it does not contain any banned substances. As such, the coaches need to play a bigger role in advising the athletes.”

In as far as the doping issues at the Sarawak SUKMA was concerned, Norza said it has to be dealt with the cooperation of Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (ADAMAS).

The press conference at the Wisma OCM was also attended by OCM Vice President, Senator Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Tan Sri Omardin and OCM Secretary General Dato’ Low Beng Choo.

In the meantime, Norza congratulated the Malaysian athletes who took part at the recent Asian Beach Games 2016 in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Malaysian contingent brought back a total of 14 medals – three golds, six silvers and five bronzes.

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