BERAKAS, BRUNEI–MUARA: The increasing number of drug abuse cases and other banned substances in sports should be given a serious attention by athletes and the relevant agencies, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
Beginning from the first of January next year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code will be enforced. Under the Bill, athletes who test positive for prohibited drugs and substances will be suspended for four years and banned from taking part in tournaments.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC), in his sabda proposed a five-point overture to be taken into account.
The overtures are; the athletes must pass mental-ability tests, show good training record, satisfactory record of attendance, show a potential to win medals, and disciplines.
In addition, athletes must have a clean record from taking dopes and banned substances.
His Royal Highness delivered the sabda at a meeting with members of the Athletes Assessment and Selection Executive Committee.
His Royal Highness also proposed for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the National Olympic Council (BDNOC) to conduct random doping tests on athletes before they are allowed to join the national sport contingent.
The tests should not only be limited to the elite group but also to other athletes.
The meeting was held yesterday at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, in his welcoming address called for an inclusive commitment and dedication from all the parties concerned.
He said government agencies, sport councils and associations, the private sector as well as parents must show their support to the proposals toward realising the national aspiration.
This is necessary, he added, to raise the status of achievement of national athletes at regional and international sports meet.
In his sabda, His Royal Highness suggested for the agencies concerned to consider the participation of Category “B” athletes.
The category is for those who have not had any achievement in regional and international tournament.
His Royal Highness said the measure is not new but has been practiced by many nations to ensure the continuous development of athletes to raise their status to the elite group.
The meeting was chaired by the Permanent Secretary at the MCYS, Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Awang Hj Md Hamid Hj Md Jaafar.
Among the agenda discussed was to determine the terms for athletes to quality for the 28th Southeast Asian Sports Meet.
The SEA Games will be held in Singapore on June 5 and 6 2015.