The 2010 doping scandal in which a number of national athletes tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs had not yet been completely erased from the mind when the other day the country’s athletics was hit by another massive doping scandal as three of our medal winners at the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal tested positive for using steroids.

These alleged tainted athletes are Olympian Mehboob Ali (400metre hurdles), 110 metre hurdler Mohammad Naeem and sprinter Samiullah. Mehboob and his maternal uncle Naeem claimed gold medals in the Nepal SAG, while Samiullah picked bronze. They were also part of their team’s two relays bronze medals.

Their tests results were unveiled at a time when these athletes had collected their cash awards from Pakistan’s government for their medal-winning performances in Nepal. The athletes face ban if found guilty as per WADA rules and regulations.

When this article will appear more developments in the case might have been made. The players would be banned for at least two years ban. Mehboob and Naeem, who play for Army, denied any wrong-doing, and requested that their B samples should be tested, sources told me.

Samiullah, on the other hand, has said that he lives in a remote area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and he used medicines due to an injury, not knowing whether there was anything wrong in that. He begs pardon, sources said. Let’s see what happens as in WADA rules there is no leniency for players who use ignorance as an excuse.

During interaction with several athletes and officials I have found that there is a need of hard crackdown on athletes through their random tests during camps, trials and before sending them abroad for any international event.

An alleged tainted athlete even told me that he has been using a single booster regularly. When I asked him whether he consults any doctor of his department or Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) or National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) he says he has not consulted any doctor. It indicates two things. Either the athlete is in fact ignorant or he is used to cheating to achieve glory in his field.

A source in the AFP told me that all athletes are aware of the doping issues and their consequences.

During the 33rd National Games in Peshawar last year dope tests of athletes were not conducted and it was a big mistake as the event was immediately followed by the South Asian Games.

An athlete, who had got gold at Peshawar National Games, told me that some of the athletes skipped the finals due to fear of dope tests. The athlete said that he has seen athletes administering injection to themselves. The athlete said that if tests had been conducted during the National Games then a huge number of athletes could have been caught for using prohibited medicines.

The athlete alleged that involvement of coaches cannot be ruled out. However, he was quick to add that some coaches are clean and don’t want their athletes to adopt bad habits. The athletes get medals for their departments which help them gain promotion, plots and other incentives.

The other day Mohammad Talib, a former international athlete, told me in an interview that coaches know hundred percent about their athletes. They should note, he said, that there is something wrong if any athlete pulls off any amazing performance which logically is not possible. What I see is that there is lack of a proper system and it seems that the athletes and coaches have been left unbridled. Coaches should also be demoted if their athletes are found guilty of using banned substances. It is a huge crime because such athletes snatch the rights of those who work hard and use right means to achieve glory in their careers.

AFP has constituted a probe committee to investigate the matter before taking any decision. AFP’s action would be an addition to the WADA ruling for which committees would be formed to adjudicate the matter.

It is a huge drawback in the AFP governance that a premier athlete uses medicine without consulting a proper doctor either of the AFP, PSB, National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) or even the relevant departments.

The AFP needs a qualified doctor who knows about sports medicines and prohibited drugs so that the athletes could be properly guided. Awareness campaigns are also necessary to educate the athletes. Most of Pakistan athletes are not much educated. If they are simply told that some medicines are banned they will not be able to grab the point. So the major part of responsibility is on their coaches.

An athlete told me that there are certain athletes who also try to encourage other athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs.

It’s a huge issue and needs to be checked, although it cannot be eradicated completely.

The AFP should have requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to carry out tests of its premier athletes before sending them for South Asian Games.

National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), chaired by Dr Waqar, can conduct tests provided the same organisation is supported by the state. NADO is recognised by both Pakistan’s government and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). The state is bound to support NADO or Anti-Doping Agency of Pakistan (ADOP) which is accredited with WADA and Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO, Central Asia).

It is also actively involved in Anti-Doping Sampling Procedure, Result Management, Therapeutic Use Exemptions and Education Programme.

Pakistan has also ratified the UNESCO Convention and the Instrument of Ratification was signed by the president of Pakistan on November 28, 2008.

Keeping in view this legal document, the state is bound to fund NADO which has the ability to check the menace.

If NADO is not funded it will be very difficult for the national federations to conduct random tests as these are very expensive.

For the last few years federations have not been funded by the state and most of them even have lost the capabilities to plan and implement their plans.

Doping is a big challenge and our sports authorities should jointly fight against this as cases like this are causing disgrace for the country. Let’s put our heads together and correct our system to eliminate doping from our sports society.

73.alam@gmail.com