KUALA LUMPUR: The local hockey arena received a big blow after national goalkeeper S. Kumar tested positive in a doping test during the Asia Cup Hockey Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh last October, for using the banned substance sibutramine,.which is prohibited by the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada).
This was confirmed by Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal during a press conference earlier today, who also said that his side have received a letter with regards to the matter from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on December 12.
Subahan explained that the contents of the letter stated that Kumar tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine during a random doping test carried out during the last group stage match against Oman.
For now, Kumar will be temporarily suspended from any and all hockey activities for two years, with a hearing scheduled to be held in January.
"It was not a substance taken to improve nor enhance the performance of the athlete, but coincidentally the substance, though little, was found to be in his body, so the FIH will be taking action against S. Kumar.
"We are well aware that Kumar is an experienced international who has amassed 295 caps playing for the country, and having undergone about 10 doping tests throughout his career, where he tested negative during previous doping tests.
"We strongly oppose doping, though we will have to go through the required process in place,” said Subahan.
Subahan explained that in facing such a situation, the MHC will give their full support to Kumar which includes accepting the goalkeeper’s decision not to contest nor challenge the doping test results, but to proceed with the hearing.
"To be fair, Kumar must be given a fair chance to provide an explanation and we will be behind him all the way.
"We hope the sentence or punishment meted out will be lenient. The two year suspension is not a short period, because even being without him for two months is a longtime for us,” said Subahan, who also said that he will be sending a letter on the hearing to the FIH tomorrow (Tuesday).
Meanwhile, Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) director Datuk Dr. Ramlan Abdul Aziz said that the case involving Kumar will not jeopardise any results achieved by the national team during the Asia Cup where Malaysia emerged runners-up after losing to India in the final.
"According to Wada’s rules and regulations, if there are more than two players who test positive for doping, only then can decisions or results be overturned or cancelled.
"Though for this case it only involves one player only. So there is no need for any decision on the match results and outcome,” he said.