LAHORE – The Pakistan Anti-Doping Organisation (ADOP) has made dope-tests mandatory during all the national championships to keep sports drugs free.
The directives were issued during a day long seminar on awareness against doping. The PDOP asked the federations to warn all players of stern action if they tested positive.
The seminar took place at a local hotel and officials of all the sports federations affiliated with the Pakistan Sports Board and Pakistan Olympics Association attended the gathering. Apart from officials administrators, coaches and athletes also attended the seminar. The seminar was held with Dr. Waqar Ahmed, chairman ADOP in the chair.
Dr. Meesaq Rizvi, Dr. Lubna Sibtain, Dr. K.A. Pervaiz Rizvi, Syed Habib Shah and POA President Lt. Gen. Syed Arif Hasan were some of the other speakers at the seminar. While talking to journalists, Lt Gen Arif said the very nature of sports and its ability to help everyone to build a better life was at stake.
“Having knowledge of the effects of drugs is very important. The players should learn to win without enhancing drugs,” he added. “I can assure you that the sports can be won without dope and we have zero tolerance towards the doping offense,” he said. “We have comprehensively launched a fight against drugs and drug cheats will be thrown out. We will keep the sporting environment free of drugs,” he added.
“We have issued detailed hand-outs and handbooks that will include complete information regarding doping. The papers carry all the information required to keep the sports drug free, and will help the players understand the anti-doping code,” he said.
