CAS-AD bans Amjad, Waqas till 2029

KARACHI: The International Testing Agency (ITA) has confirmed that former vice-president of Pakistan Weightlifting Federation Amjad Amin Butt and coach Waqas Akbar have been banned for four years till 2029 for anti-doping rule violations. The ITA stated on Monday that the court of arbitration for sport anti-doping division (CAS AD) has sanctioned the officials for four years, from February 24, 2025, to February 23, 2029.

The ITA asserted on November 14, 2023, that coach Waqas Akbar and Vice-President of the PWLF Amjad Amin Butt had committed ADRVs under Article 2.5 (Tampering with Doping Control) and Article 2.9 (Complicity) of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules (IWF ADR).

The ADRVs were in relation to their conduct during an unsuccessful out-of-competition sample collection mission where four Pakistani weightlifters refused to provide samples. It is to be noted that on March 1, 2024, the CAS ADD confirmed that the four Pakistani athletes had committed violations of Article 2.3 of the IWF ADR for refusing or failing to submit blood samples without compelling justification and sanctioned them each with a period of ineligibility of 4 years.

“A hearing took place before CAS ADD on November 8, 2024 and on February 24, 2025, the CAS ADD issued its decision concluding that both individuals (Amin Butt and Waqas Akbar) had each committed a violation of Article 2.5 and Article 2.9 of the IWF ADR and sanctioned them with a period of ineligibility of 4 years from February 24, 2025 to February 23, 2029.

“Both individuals and the relevant stakeholders, namely IWF/ITA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Pakistan National Anti-Doping Organisation, have a right to appeal the CAS ADD decision before the appeals division of the CAS,” stated the ITA.

Amjad and Waqas were not immediately available for comment. Besides, the ITA stated, with regards to alleged wrongdoings perpetrated between 2014 and 2016 by two additional members of the PWLF former President Hafiz Imran Butt, and former coach, Irfan Butt, the results management process has been completed, and the matters will be referred to CAS ADD for adjudication.

The ITA maintains that Hafiz Imran Butt and Irfan Butt have committed ADRVs under Article 2.6 (Possession of Prohibited Substances) and Article 2.8 (Administration of Prohibited Substances) and Article 2.9 (Complicity) of the IWF ADR and will be asking CAS ADD to confirm the ADRVs and impose the appropriate sanctions.

Moreover, given that more than three athletes and athlete support personnel from the PWLF have committed ADRVs within a 12-month period, this has triggered Article 12.3 of the IWF ADR.

It is to be noted that according to Article 12.3 of the IWF ADR and provisions of the IWF Olympic Qualification System, member federations can be suspended, fined and/or have other rights withdrawn (including quotas for participating in the Olympic Games) when three or more athletes, officials or athlete support personnel of the member federation are found to have committed ADRVs within a 12-month period.

“The case against the PWLF has been referred to the IWF’s Independent Member Federation Sanctioning Panel (IMFSP) to impose appropriate consequences and the proceedings are ongoing,” stated ITA.

“Hafiz Imran Butt and his son Irfan Butt can appeal against the charges, but there is no hope for any relief to them. They may be banned for life,” said a member of interim committee of PWLF while talking to ‘The News’.