The death of four bodybuilders, three in Gujranwala and one in Sialkot this month, has shocked the people, forcing the Sports Board Punjab (SBP) to take effective measures to end the trend of using heavy steroids.

Though the cause of death in all four cases could not be determined as no postmortem was done, the old practice of using steroids by bodybuilders may be the main reason behind deaths.

First Hamid Ali of Sialkot died some days after he participated in the South Asian Games held in Lahore. Then Matloob Haider, Rizwan and Humayun Khurram also died under mysterious circumstances. Khurram had earned a gold medal in the South Asian Games.

The SBP has taken notice of deaths and started working on making some laws to keep a check on the musclemen.

The government plays no role in checking the menace of steroids despite a good number of bodybuilding events is organized.

Over the years the bodybuilding has attracted the youngsters as the sports has the potential to earn gate money for organizers as well. But the death of four bodybuilders in just 17 days has forced the SBP to take on the menace of steroids with effective planning.

It has started making rules and laws under which the organizers of all events, particularly bodybuilding, wrestling and kabaddi, must have to follow a laid down policy.

A random dope test of sportsmen must be conducted at every event apart from checking of the registration of clubs.

But since the charges of one dope test ranges from Rs35,000 (in India) to Rs50,000 (in Thailand and other Asian countries) it will not be easy for the government to ensure frequent random doping test.

The government should seriously consider about establishing a WADA-affiliated dope test lab in the country.

The random dope test at the club level and during any contest should be conducted to root out this problem once and for all.

The Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation has also demanded of the government to set up a dope test lab.

It has also decided to stop further events of bodybuilding until steps to check the use of steroid on random basis are ensured.

There is also a need to educate the bodybuilders about their diet plan. In advanced countries, the bodybuilders use food supplements under strict guidance.

A heavy contingent of 310-member of Sports Board Punjab is in Islamabad, representing the province in a week-long Quaid-i-Azam inter-provincial games which has started on Saturday.

Sindh, Balochistan, KP, Fata and Islamabad have also fielded their contingents. Overall, 2,800 athletes and their officials have gathered in Islamabad.

Punjab should win the overall trophy as it has very strong footing in the field of sports.

Earlier, these games were scheduled to be held from April 5 to 8, but these were postponed due to a bomb blast at Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park in Lahore.

The Rs137 million funds allocated for the games look lavish. A special audit of spending must be conducted as the past record of the SBP remained dubious.

Sports circles in Lahore claim that three events of such scale can be held with the allocated funds.

Defending itself, the SBP says the expenditures are high because all athletes and officials are being provided free transport, kits, food and accommodation besides daily allowances and prize money.

Punjab will compete in 13 disciplines -- hockey, boxing, badminton, karate, football, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, wrestling, squash, taekwondo, judo and athletics.

At least 83 golfers from all over the country and some from Iran, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are featuring in the National Amateur Golf Championships which is in progress at a local golf club.

Fakhar Imam has surprised the participants by taking a lead on the first day. The performance of players from the neighbouring countries has been impressive.

Pakistan has already won the International Team match, while its B team got the runners-up spot.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2016