THE clean-up of Malaysian weightlifting, which has been rocked by doping in recent years, will begin this weekend.
A fed up Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) are determined to turn around the stigmatised sport's fortunes.
After taking the drastic steps of disbanding the national team recently, MWF will begin the first step of rebuilding this weekend.
This will start with MWF holding the National Championships-cum-national team selection trials at the NSC Sports Complex in Kuala Rompin on Oct 16-18.
The selection competition is open to all state athletes who meet the minimum requirements in their respective weight categories.
Athletes, who were previously part of the national team, are also eligible to compete if they meet the qualifying standard as MWF do not want to shut the door on athletes with potential.
MWF honorary secretary Wan Muhammad Hafiz Wan Izanatar said they expect to finalise the new national squad by the end of the month.
"A total of 28 athletes have been accepted to compete in the selection competition. However, 21 applicants were rejected," said Hafiz yesterday,
"We have set the qualifying standard higher this time and unfortunately they (21 athletes) were not able to meet them.
Among the athletes who have met the standard are Aznil Bidin (Under-61kg), Erry Hidayat (Under-73kg) and Aniq Kasdan (Under-55kg), who were previously part of the national team.
"They are promising athletes who have a chance of winning medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games next year."
He said the athletes selection committee, headed by MWF vice president Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim, will hold a meeting on Oct 22 to discuss who to select for the national team. "We hope to finalise the team a few days after that.
"The coaches selection committee will meet early next month and discuss the lineup of coaches.
'Once everything is finalised, we will begin with our preparations for the Commonwealth Games and other tournaments next year."
MWF had given one month notice, effective Oct 1 on the disbanding of the national team, to 13 athletes and four coaches.
Despite conducting numerous anti-doping education programmes, MWF have struggled with doping issues in recent seasons, including two new cases earlier this year.
Hafiz said MWF will continue to place a strong emphasis on anti-doping awareness programmes to educate both the athletes and public in a bid to correct misconceptions.
"Despite the doping cases we faced, there is still strong interest in the sport at state level as proven by the number of applicants (for selection tournament) that we have received," said Hafiz.
"And many parents are still interested in enrolling their children in the sport.
"It is, however, important for us to continue with our awareness programmes so that our athletes understand the dangers of using banned substances.
"We also need to educate the public as many people wrongly think that weightlifters are using recreational drugs to get high, which is not the case."
Hafiz disclosed that MWF will be conducting a roadshow at the end of the year to promote the sport and also scout for new talent.
