National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said they have always supported bodybuilder Sazali Samad and is concerned about the doping case.

"Sazali's doping case is different form that of badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei, as it involved two banned substances.

"The two cases have different legal implications. The NSC will continue to support Sazali via advice from the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the Anti-Doping Agency Malaysia (Adamas).

Speaking at a press conference, Ahmad Shapawi said Sazali's service with the NSC continued even after he was found guilty and was banned for failing the doping test.

Sazali was paid a training allowance of RM1,500 per month since 2014 before it was raised to RM2,500 per month in Jan 2015.

However, Sazali's allowance of RM3,500 per month since Sept 2015 via 'Kita Juara 2017' programme was stopped after he was banned four years by the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF).

READ: Three causes of doping among athletes - M. Jegathesan

Meanwhile, Sazali, who was also present at the press conference, apologised to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the NSC and the NSI for his remarks on Friday.

"Khairy and Shapawi have always supported me. I am touched by their support over what happened to me," he added.

Sazali hopes his appeal to the MBBF will be given due consideration so that he can continue to represent Malaysia on the international stage.

Yesterday, the bodybuilding icon claimed he did not get moral support from any party after he failed a doping test by Adamas on Dec 21, 2015.

Sazali, 48, won the Mr Universe title times and was Mr Asia nine times.