National bodybuilder Sazali Samad, who was banned four years for failing a doping test, claimed that nobody advised him to take the B sample test.
“I refused to take the B sample test due to lack of advice and information. Nobody, from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector and the government told me that the refusal was an admission of guilt.
“The refusal does not mean I plead guilty, I only accepted the test result conducted by Anti-Doping Agency Malaysia (Adamas),” he told reporters after submitting a letter of appeal to Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF) secretary Kamaruzaman Kadir at Kompleks Sukan Desa Tasik here, Friday.
Sazali said the Class S1 banned substance found in his urine sample could be from taking supplements while he was in the United States.
The much decorated bodybuilder said he did not know his rights as an athlete when facing the Disciplinary Committee.
“In June 2015, after winning the World Police and Fire Games in Fairfax, Washington, USA, I stopped at a shopping mall and bought supplements and medications.
“I also took daily supplements such as protein, vitamins and supplements given by my fellow competitors,” he said, accompanied by his personal manager and wife, Hashrine Hashim and lawyer Mohd Norasmawi Norani.
Asked whether the supplements were given to the National Sports Institute (ISN) for testing, he said:”I took many supplements over the years and never had any problems.”
In mitigation, Sazali said it was his first offence in his 25 years as a bodybuilder and cited negligence for taking the banned substance.
He also accepted the Adamas test result without argument and to save time and cost by accepting the Disciplinary Committee’s decision.
Sazali hopes that the ban period can be reduced and that he be given the chance to represent the country in tournaments.
Meanwhile, Kamaruzaman said the MBBF will form an Appeal Committee to discuss the matter before announcing a decision.
“We need a few days to reach a decision. As for B Sample, it is up to Sazali as we cannot force him to take it.”
Police officer Sazali, 48, won the Mr Universe title 10 times and the Mr Asia title nine times. – BERNAMA
