KUCHING: Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee has strongly refuted a Bernama report that two Sarawak Sukma athletes were given letters to explain the doping charges against them.
Dr Ong clarified that none of the Sarawakian Sukma athletes have been implicated in the report by national news agency (Bernama).
“None of our Sarawak athletes were involved in any doping during the last Sukma held in Sarawak.
“I have even attended the ‘Mesyuarat Khas Sukma’ just a few weeks ago which deliberated on the case and during the meeting they had hauled up four other states which were involved. The sports concerned were archery, weightlifting and boxing,” said Dr Ong.
In the Bernama report carried by The Borneo Post on Oct 6, it was reported that “the National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM) has given two weeks for its two Sarawak Sukma medallists to explain the doping charges against them”.
“NAAM acting secretary Major (rtd) Amir Suharmin Adnan had sent letters to the state associations according to the report.”
Dr Ong said that as far as Sarawak is concerned, they have emerged from the Sukma competitions clean as they were serious over the issue of doping.
He said the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) has carried out several activities which include organising a ‘Aku Janji’ pledge involving coaches and athletes.
It also held a forum on anti-doping by the agency of anti-doping in Malaysia (Andamas) during the runup to 18th Sukma Games held from July 22-31 in Sarawak.