KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry plans to mobilise additional awareness programmes aimed at educating athletes on banned substances to prevent their involvement in doping cases in the future.
Minister Hannah Yeoh said that athletes should not use lack of awareness as an excuse for consuming prohibited substances and stressed the importance of athletes taking responsibility for managing their bodies.
Addressing a recent doping issue involving an athlete, Hannah highlighted the consistent advocacy by both the ministry and the National Sports Institute (NSI) for the strict liability of doping.
“We are aware that some athletes may be uninformed about this issue and unknowingly purchase dietary supplements without understanding their ingredients.
“To address this concern, NSI will intensify awareness programmes for athletes regarding their dietary intake, and these programmes will be conducted by professionals.
“Athletes should not give excuses, as NSI has been actively doing its part over the years and will continue to enhance awareness,” said Hannah at the 2024 Sports Ministry Mandate Council in Bukit Jalil today.
Yesterday, Anti-Doping Malaysia (Adamas) stated that they imposed a two-year ban on a high jump athlete for using prohibited substances during the Malaysia Athletics Federation Track and Field Championships in February last year.
The banned substance discovered in the athlete’s sample was a class S.6 stimulant – sibutramine.
In a statement, Adamas declared that the substance used by the athlete violates the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Code.
Adamas has also granted the athlete an opportunity to submit a written appeal by January 24. – January 11, 2024