KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) is sad that one of its women's high jumpers tested positive for the banned sibutramine, an appetite suppressant agent, during the Malaysia Track and Field Championships in Bukit Jalil in February.
MAF medical committee chairman Datuk R. Annamalai yesterday stated they had received a letter from the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) which confirmed that the athlete tested positive for sibutramine
"It's a serious matter that one of the female high jumpers took the banned substance.
"Although sibutramine, which is an appetite suppressant to lose weight and it does not offer any direct performance-enhancing qualities, the World Anti Doping Agency has banned the substance.
"The athlete went to the Phnom Penh Sea Games but she did not compete as she suffered a thigh injury just before her event.
"It's sad that the athlete took the banned substance," said Annamalai, who was manager of the athletics team to Phnom Penh.
"We have yet to inform the athlete that she has tested positive for a banned substance. She is suspended from all competitions until the result of the hearing process is announced.
"Adamas will appoint an independent body to conduct the hearing. We will comply and assist the independent body.
"Even the coaches who train the athlete will be called up for the hearing.
"During the hearing, the athlete can request for a B sample testing. If she accepts that she took the banned substance, then the independent body will decide whether she gets a minimum two-year ban or four-year suspension."
Annamalai said his committee holds a seminar every three to four months to inform athletes about vitamins or substances that should not be consumed.
In the past, national athletes were stripped off their Sea Games gold medals for taking banned substances. Yunus Lasaleh, a member of the 4x400m winning team at the 2011 Sea Games in Palembang, failed a drug test, and Malaysia lost the gold.
Yunus claimed that one of the top MAF officials arranged for his supply of banned substances.
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