The NSMI yesterday collected urine samples of rugby players from Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates during and after the Asian5Nations top league match in Colombo to be sent to India or Malaysia for testing of possible usage of performance enhancing substances.
According to a senior official of Sri Lanka’s National Sports Medicine Institute (NSMI) will continue its anti dope testing programme again this season at the schools rugby league and knockout competitions as well.
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| Controversy stormed the future of Sri Lankan short distance athlete Jani Chathurangi when she was tested positive for using a banned performance enhancement drug in 2006. However she was later released from all allegations |
“The testing will continue throughout the Asian5Nations tournament. We have the fullest consent from the International Rugby Board (IRB) and the Asian Rugby Football Union for this matter. The IRB has a strict and effective programme to eradicate the usage of performance enhancing substances from rugby. They have instructed the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) to conduct anti doping tests on all rugby players; from school to national level,” the official told the Sunday Times.
Last year the NSMI conducted such random tests on school and club rugby players. The move was welcomed by many sports enthusiasts while the Ministry of Sports of the country drew special attention on the subject.
“The Ministry of Sports is very serious on this. The Minister himself has instructed the NSMI to conduct tests on all athletes who reach the top level,” the official added.
The NSMI assisted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to conduct anti doping tests on cricketers in Sri Lanka during the recently concluded Cricket World Cup 2011. The official revealed that the ICC conducted tests on and off the field during the competition in all three countries, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“The Ministry of Sports has instructed the NSMI to adopt the similar system in Sri Lanka too. It is an international standard procedure to conduct such random tests while a tournament is on. This year the NSMI will adopt the system at school and club rugby,” he revealed.
According to the official the NSMI is currently observing the players of the under-20 schools rugby league who will be subjected for anti doping tests without prior notice.
“The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has extended the punishment on athletes who use performance enhancing substances. The penalty could vary beginning from one year onwards.”
The NSMI official also revealed that from this year onwards it will conduct anti doping tests on all sports.
“The Minister of Sports is highly concerned in preventing athletes and sportsmen from brining dishonour to the country for a pity matter. We encourage athletes of all ages and especially the officials not to use any sort of performance enhancing substances. Sri Lanka will take severe action against its athletes who are tested positive,” he affirmed. |
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