BWF fine Korea for negligence in doping tests

KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton’s world governing body said they have fined the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) US$40,000 (RM130,000) for negligence after two players were banned for missing doping tests.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Friday the BKA “failed in their duty of care” to Lee Yong-dae and Kim Ki-jung, who were banned for one year in January.

Yong-dae won the mixed doubles gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and took a bronze in the men’s doubles in London in 2012.

He had been expected to compete in the Asian Games in Incheon in September this year.

The Kuala Lumpur-based BWF said their disciplinary committee had found that the BKA were negligent in failing to give the players necessary information about anti-doping regulations.

The BWF urged the BKA to make more effort to educate players, coaches and others about the rules.

The BKA said in January that the absence of both players during visits by anti-doping inspectors had been due to international competitions.

“Yong-dae and Ki-jung did not take any banned drugs, refuse doping tests or intentionally shun them,” the BKA said in a statement at the time, describing the ban as “extreme and unfair”. — AFP