'Local athletes still using banned substances'

Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) chief Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said tests have been conducted among the local athletes and some have been tested positive for using banned substances.

“The signs are there. Recently some athletes want to run away from being tested,” said Dr. Ramlan, who is also the former National Sports Institute chief executive officer.

Dr Ramlan, who is also the adviser for Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, however stressed the blame should not only go to the athletes.

“Usually we will punish athletes who test positive. However, there are others around the athletes that could have assisted or forced the athletes to take banned substances.

“We cannot look at it through one perspective. We have to look at it as a whole and take the necessary action,” he said.

He added that there are “certain officers” who will protect the athletes and work together with them, as if they supported such actions.

“The role of the coach and the people around them like the doctors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and dieticians should also be looked into. Are they part of it? Never neglect the athlete’s entourage. This will take time for us to analyse,” he added.

Nevertheless, Adamas face several limitations especially after the agency’s lab accreditation at Universiti Sains Malaysia had been revoked to conduct urine tests.

“We now have to send samples to New Delhi and the costs are quite high. The amount of samples sent has decreased because we’re working around the same budget.

“Secondly, we have to work on re-organising Adamas' structure. We not only want the test element but we want to include the educational aspect to prevent the younger generation from being involved in doping.

“We also have to emphasise on investigations and stricter laws so that this will not be seen as a sporting issue but doping is punishable by law. There needs to be zero tolerance in doping,” said Dr Ramlan.

Dr Ramlan was responding to shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong’s confession on Oprah Winfrey’s two-part talk show on January 18 and 19.

“It’s not fair to target Lance Armstrong only as there are other athletes guilty of doping too,” he concluded.