- Star tests positive
A prominent netball player in the country and a former skipper of the national team, has reportedly tested positive to a banned substance, for the first time ever in the sport’s history here, The Daily Morning Sports, reliably understands.
The incident had occurred when a random test done of the urine sample of the player had returned positive, during the ongoing training programme of the national team, an informed source revealed.
Sri Lanka, the defending champions, are currently preparing to take part at the Asian Netball Championship in Saudi Arabia, in September.
When contacted, the head of the Anti-Doping Unit, attached to the Ministry of Sports, Prof. Arjuna de Silva, declined to reveal the identity of the player, until she is officially informed of the stunning development, by the Netball Federation.
He said this, when The Daily Morning Sports, sought his views on the process to be adopted, since a player tests positive to a banned substance and the next course of action in the system.
“We are all shocked, as this is the first time, such a thing has happened in Netball,” Prof. de Silva said.
“But, there is a due process in place, which has to be followed, in this sort of incident and it will be enacted and till it is done, we cannot disclose the player’s name to the media, as there could be legal ramifications.”
According to the Head of the Anti-Doping Unit, once the player, who had tested positive to a banned substance, is officially informed by the relevant sports body, the player concerned will be summoned for an official inquiry.
He added that at that inquiry, having sought the player’s explanation, charges will be pressed against the player concerned over the offence committed by him or her.
Prof. de Silva added that a sportsman or sportswoman, could face up to a ban of four years maximum, if found to be guilty of the use of a banned substance, as per the laws and regulations, set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
He noted that the ban would entail total elimination from the sport, without being able to be linked to it in any capacity, during the said time period.