July 15, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 11, 1429

HYDERABAD (India), July 14: There is almost no possibility of fullback Kashif Ali’s testing positive during the ongoing sixth Junior Asia Cup hockey, coach Kamran Ashraf said on Monday.

Kamran confirmed that organisers had taken sample of Kashif Ali’s urine after Pakistan and South Korea played a 3-3 draw on Sunday.

“These are routine drug tests. One or two players from each team are picked for the tests,” he said.

“Samples of other teams’ players had also been taken and up to 10 players from different teams will be selected for samples,” he added.

He, however, emphasised that all possible precautions had been taken to avoid the possibility of players taking drugs.

“They have been watched and explained about their medication and food,” he said.

The coach said the whole team could be disqualified if a player of that team tested positive.

He said the organisers perhaps spotted him for the drug test as he scored two goals against Korea.—APP

Our Sports Reporter from Islamabad adds: Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Asif Bajwa told Dawn on Monday that doping was not a major concern for the Olympic-bound Pakistan senior team.

“We have no doping concerns about the national players as the federation has their complete track,” Bajwa said when he was questioned whether the green shirts had undergone dope test.

The secretary added, “We have signed an anti-doping declaration for almost every event and signed the same for the Beijing Olympic Games.”

“If a player is tested positive for doping offence, a case will be forwarded to the FIH,” he said.