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November 30, 2009 22:18 PM
Athletes On Medication Must Notify ISN - Zolkples
PUTRAJAYA, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Athletes bound for the Laos SEA Games must notify the National Sports Institute (ISN) if they are on medication, consume vitamins or supplements.
National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong said it is the duty of each athlete to inform the ISN if they were on medication or if they were consuming any vitamins or supplements, to avoid any problems when they undergo dope tests during the games.
"Some might be taking their own supplements like tongkat ali, minyak gamat or kacip fatimah. So, it is for them to check with ISN because if anyone is caught for doping, it will be a shame to the country," he told reporters after opening the final phase of centralised training for the Malaysian contingent at IOI Palm Garden Hotel here Monday.
He added that random dope tests would be carried out on athletes.
The Laos bound Malaysian contingent, comprising 221 athletes (98 men and 82 women) and 41 officials reported for a five-day centralised training.
The 221 however, does not include athletes from sports like football (men and women), judo, taekwondo and sepak takraw (men).
"The athletes are being gathered here to instill a spirit of togetherness and to expose them to conditions faced when they are in Laos. We want the athletes to be prepared for the worse.
"If living conditions and facilities here are excellent, they cannot expect the same in Laos," said Zolkples.
The Malaysian contingent are targetted to win between 30 to 35 gold medals from 21 of the 25 sports participated.
Malaysia will participate in aquatics (swimming & diving), taekwondo, archery, athletics, badminton, snooker & billiards, boxing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karate, silat, petanque, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wushu.
-- BERNAMA
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