KUCHING: Sarawak athletes, especially, are urged to steer clear of unfair sportsmanship such as the taking of performance enhancing drugs as such action not only contravene the IOC (International Olympic Council) philosophy but is also against integrity or moral aspect of sports. As Sarawak strive to become a sports powerhouse, preventing cheating in sports is part of their aim to achieve their goal as a sporting State and country.
Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee who stressed on these points in the closing of a anti-doping seminar held at the JBS centre, here, recently also said the taking of banned steroids and other forms of behaviour such as sexual harrasment need to be stemmed out in sports.
“As the state which place emphasis on the fairplay in sports, antidoping form an important aspect of promoting sportsmanship as Sarawak strive to become a powerhouse in sports. “It is the moral duty and integrity in sports which should be promoted as this are important requirements if we want to do well in sports.
“The taking of banned strength enhancing steroids, sexual harassment and other form of cheating are controversies that had happened every way in international sports but we should steer clear of it and prevent it from happening in our sports.
“Part of our mission is to promote fair-play and anti-doping is one of the important area we want to put emphasis on as and even the selection of athletes play an important part in sports competition. A total 150 participants consisting of athletes, coaches and MSNS officials attended the anti-doping seminar to educate and create awareness on the involvement in sports enhancing drugs.
The seminar includd gold medal athletes for the forthcoming Sukma in Perak was organised by the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) together with the national anti-doping agency or ADAMAS. Athletes taking part in the seminar included SEA Games gold medallist Grace Wong, SEA Games cyclist Ariana Nurmina, and athletes in the other sports such as lawnbowl, weightlifting, archery, cycling, boxing, Muaythai, sailing, tenpin bowling and sepak takraw.
Speakers for the seminar were ADAMAS di rector Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz and former ‘Flying Doctor’ Tan Sri Dr M Jegathesan who talked from the perspective as a former athlete.
