By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 24: The 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma XXI) Sarawak has been declared doping-free after all 13 athlete samples tested negative for banned substances.
According to a Bernama report, National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) director-general Azura Abidin, who is also the former director of the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas), confirmed this achievement, marking a significant milestone for Sukma Sarawak 2024.
“We collected over 300 samples from Sukma athletes, and earlier we were informed that 13 samples from various sports required further analysis. Alhamdulillah, we have received the results, and all the samples came back negative.
“I am proud of the results because Adamas’ aim to ensure that this year’s Sukma is free from doping issues has been successfully achieved,” she told reporters after attending a dinner in conjunction with the opening of the Anti-Doping Social Science Research Seminar 2024 in Georgetown, Penang, on Tuesday (Oct 22).
She added that the findings will soon be officially reported to Sarawak, the host of this year’s Sukma and Para Sukma Games.
Azura also revealed that over 60 Para Sukma athletes were tested, though their results are still pending.
Bernama further reported that in a previous exclusive interview, Azura shared that more than 300 athletes were tested during Sukma 2024, held from Aug 17 to Aug 24, and while none tested positive for banned substances, 13 samples required further analysis.
She reiterated that the government takes doping among the country’s athletes seriously, as it impacts not only the athletes’ reputations but also the integrity of sports and the nation.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has implemented various initiatives to keep athletes doping-free. — DayakDaily
