Another Malaysian athlete tested positive for banned substance

KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom was tested positive for doping in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kangar last June.

Surprisingly, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) were only informed of the findings in February – eight months later.

The 19-year-old Johor rider was tested for the banned substance dexamethasone after winning the gold medal in the men’s 200m sprint final.

MNCF anti-doping committee chairman Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said they received a letter on Feb 27 which stated that Mohd Shah had tested positive for dexamethasone.

“I’m puzzled as to why the Anti Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) took such a long time to inform us. I believe there must have had some confusion on their part. However, the rider has been suspended,” said Amarjit, who added they will hold a meeting on Friday at Velodrome Rakyat in Ipoh to discus Mohd Shah’s matter.

“We have informed Mohd Shah to bring all his witnesses, including the doctor who gave him the injection,” said Amarjit.

If the B sample is also positive, then Mohd Shah faces a two-year ban.

MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamed said that Mohd Shah received an injection for a knee injury he suffered during training before Sukma last year.

“Mohd Shah is a good track cyclist and was even tipped to replace Olympian Azizulhasni (Awang),” said Naim.

The substance is the same one that was given to national shuttler Lee Chong Wei for his thigh injury last year.

Chong Wei was also tested positive for the substance during the World Championships in Copenhagen last August. He is scheduled to attend a hearing on the doping case in Amsterdam on Saturday.

There was another doping incident last year, with national wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xuen being tested positive for banned substance sibutramine after winning the gold medal in the Incheon Asian Games in September.

She was banned for four months and had to return the medal.