Sazali to clarify issue of alleged failed dope test next week

'Mr Universe' Sazali Samad who has been alleged to have failed a dope test said he would clarify the issue next week.

Sazali, winner of 10 'Mr Universe' titles, attended a hearing on the doping issue held by the Malaysian Body Building Federation's (MBBF) Disciplinary Committee at the Desa Tasik Sports Complex in Sungai Besi this morning.

However, when contacted by Bernama after the meeting, Sazali did not want to comment on his presence at the meeting.

"Sorry, I do not have any comments, please wait for next week," he said.

Media reports had claimed that an athlete from body building had failed a random dope test conducted by ADAMAS on Sept 1, before the Malaysian contingent left to Tashkent, Uzbekistan for the 49th Asian Body Building Championship from Sept 29 to Oct 5.

Sazali, 47, has won the 'Mr Universe' title in Melaka (2000), Moscow, Russia (2004), Ostrava, Czech Rep (2006), Jeju, South Korea (2007), Dubai (2009), Varanasi, India (2010), Melaka (2011), Bangkok, Thailand (2012), Budaors, Hungary (2013) and Mumbai, India (2014).

He has also won nine Mr Asia titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

The Malaysian Body Building Federation's (MBBF) honorary secretary said the name of the athlete who failed the dope test would be announced next week by the MBBF president.

He said the dope cheat would be suspended for four years as per the punishment set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"If an athlete is found guilty (failed a dope test) he would be punished but we will give the athlete a chance to explain," he said.

Kamaruzaman said athletes, including body builders must not take the easy way out by using drugs to enhance their performance or physic.