PSM claims players not told to undergo doping test

The Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) claimed that its six players and three officials, who had been suspended over the failure to attend a doping test last month, were not told to undergo the test.

Its president, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, said initial investigations revealed that all of the players did not receive any notification about the test.

"PSM has called all the players involved on Monday. Initial investigations revealed that none of them were aware, informed or called to undergo the doping test," he said after attending a meeting with National Sports Council (MSN) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi here today.

He also urged all quarters not to speculate that the sepak takraw athletes escaped the test.

"I urge all parties not to speculate as that can bring dishonour upon our players. Let this issue be solved in the right channel," he added.

It was reported that the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) had suspended the Malaysian players and officials via the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (ADAMAS) after the players failed to turn up for the test on Oct 23 during the 31st Thailand King's Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship in Bangkok.

On Wednesday, PSM received a letter from ISTAF instructing the players and officials to respond to all charges in 14 days.

"PSM will help them to reply the letter to ISTAF to the best of our ability and I will make sure that the letters will reach ISTAF during the stipulated period," said Ahmad.

According to rules, evading sample collection, or without compelling justification, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection after notification is a violation under Article 2.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code. --Bernama