Consult Medical Experts Before Consuming Medication - Minister Khairy

By Mazani Chan Yat Sin KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Athletes representing the country at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August are advised to consult medical experts, especially National Sports Council officers before taking any medication to avoid being inadvertently involved in doping. In making this call, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said it was imperative for the athletes to take extra precaution on the medication as they could be held liable if found using banned substances. He noted that not only athletes but their entourage as well, were held responsible to keep free from doping. "What you eat is your responsibility. If unsure, just ask (the officers of) the National Sports Institute, experts or coaches," he said. Khairy said this in his opening remarks before officiating the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Anti-Doping Awareness Campaign which was attended by more than 200 athletes, coaches and sports officials at Wisma OCM here Saturday. On the same note, Khairy stressed the fight against doping would not focus only on high performance sports but would also cover athletes involved in recreation and mass sports. He pointed out that doping was no longer a sports issue but it was also about health and the future of the country's population. Khairy asserted that the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) was established to ensure the Wada Code was implemented in every sport at every state in the country. The minister said the revised Adamas rules were in line with the revised code which had been approved by Wada. -- BERNAMA