By Ling Hui
KUCHING, June 29: Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu has urged weightlifters not to get involved with doping.
He said banned drugs and substances not only cannot contribute to the prestige of weightlifting athletes in any tournament or championship, but will also get them banned from competing.
“Don’t try or get yourself involved with doping. Don’t use steroids or any illegal substances. This sport (of weightlifting) is a fight between your mental, physical self and just metal.
“If you can do it, then it’s your glory. So, there is no need to use any substances that are not allowed,” he told athletes during the National Junior & Senior Weightlifting Championship Sarawak 2022 at the Indian Association Kuching (IAK) Hall here today.
Rentap was officiating at the ceremony representing Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Also present at the event were Sarawak State Youth and Sports director Lamat Nyalau and tournament director Ariffin Alimin.
A total of 121 athletes from 11 states or regions are taking part in the four-day weightlifting championship from June 27 to July 1.
This is the third international weightlifting tournament held here since 2015. The first was in 2017 and second in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Winners in this tournament will go on to compete again in Kuala Lumpur in September. — DayakDaily
