Pakistan ban five athletes over doping

LAHORE: The Anti-Doping Organisation of Pakistan (ADOP) has imposed a two-year ban on five national athletes over failed dope tests. The three cyclists and two bodybuilders were tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone after the ADOP conducted a dope test during the National Games last year.

“Each athlete had an individual case,” Deputy Director General ADOP Waqar Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “But each one of them tested positive for the banned anabolic-androgen steroid nandrolone.

“All have confessed the usage without a prescription and hence have been banned for two years.”

The three cyclists Noor Alam of Sui Southern Gas Corporation, Dilsher Ali and Zahid Gulfam from Wapda and two bodybuilders Mohammad Imran Qureshi of Railways and Javed Ali of Higher Education Commission appeared before a three-man panel before the ban was imposed.

While each athlete stated that they unknowingly took the substance, Ahmed ruled it out as an excuse. “Our aim is to ensure the sport is free of illegal stuff and formulate a fair and healthy environment in the country.

“Any athlete who tests positive for a second time will be banned for life,” said Ahmed.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2011.