The government should devise a policy on the use of steroids in sports and have all gyms across Pakistan registered
KARACHI: The death of a fourth Pakistani bodybuilder, Matloob Haider, a bronze medalist in the South Asian Games, has brought the issue of drug abuse by bodybuilders under the spotlight. Haider, a resident of Gujranwala, is the fourth bodybuilder to have died over the last 17 days in Punjab due to excessive use of steroids. He joins Rizwan, Humayun Khurram and Hamid Khan, who all met a similar fate. The Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBBF) president, Shaikh Farooq Iqbal, offered condolences to the grieving families, while lamenting the use of such life-threatening drugs.
Mr Iqbal has taken the right step in requesting the government for its help to devise a policy on the use of steroids in sports and have all gyms across Pakistan registered. I also agree with his stance on establishing an anti-doping laboratory, so that players can be tested before leaving for participation in any event. If drugs are being smuggled, punitive action needs to be taken. The stance of the president of the PBBF needs to be heeded by the relevant authorities, as his efforts are aimed at the betterment of this sport in Pakistan. I hope the government ensures these safety steps as soon as possible.
Uroosa Jadoon
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2016.
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