KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian contingent’s Chef-de-Mission for the Commonwealth Games, Huang Ying How, has admitted that he knew about the doping issue involving a national athlete in Gold Coast, Australia.
However, Ying How said that they have yet to receive any official information about the issue from the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (ADAMAS).
“In general, I do not have any information because ADAMAS have their own process and procedures,” said Ying How earlier today (Wednesday), who is also the Squash Racquets Association Of Malaysia (SRAM) president.
“We are also waiting for an official media statement from ADAMAS, if there is one in the first place.
“Whatever it is, it is not me, but rather the National Sports Council (NSC) or the Sports Ministry that must give the news and information because they (ADAMAS) are the ones who carried out the dope test.
“But yes, I did hear about the doping issue. ADAMAS and Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) have their own process and procedures and officially have not told anyone who the athlete is. I do not want to make any speculations until they have confirmed it.
Yesterday, the local sporting arena was rocked with news that a national athlete who took part in the Commonwealth Games was reported to have tested positive for a banned substance during a dope test carried out before the Games.
What is even more shocking, is the fact that the athlete in question contributed a bronze medal for the country at the Games, and if found guilty, it is most likely that the bronze medal will have to be returned, if not confiscated.
For the record, Malaysia won seven gold, five silver, and 12 bronze medals at the Games in Gold Coast.
The national athletes who won bronze medals are Afiq Ali Hanafiah (men’s para T12 100m), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (badminton men’s doubles), Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (badminton mixed doubles), Leong Mun Yee-Nur Dhabitah Sabri (diving 3m synchronised springboard and women’s 10m synchronised platform), Amy Kwan (gymnastics overall individual hoop), Koi Sie Yan (gymnastics ribbon), Alia Sazana Azahari (shooting women’s 25m pistol), Nafiizwan Adnan (squash men’s singles), Ho Ying-Karen Lyne (ping pong women’s doubles) and Fazrul Azrie Mohdad (weightlifting men’s 85kg).