'Doping is common practice among Pak athletes'

A former Pakistani athlete has alleged that some officials in the country had encouraged sportspersons to take performance-enhancing drugs to win medals.

Mohammad Talib, who represented Pakistan in 110 meters hurdles in the 1960s, made these allegations after eight athletes tested positive in dope tests carried out during a national championship held in Islamabad.

Talib said that it was a common practice among Pakistani athletes.

"Though from time to time people associated with sports had brought this fact to the attention of those who mattered, the issue was deliberately ignored," The Nation quoted Talib, as saying.

"As the medal winning frenzy increased over the years, the coaches, knowing that winning medals would be financially rewarding, encouraged athletes to take banned substances," he added.

He further said that he was shocked that the Pakistan Olympic Association, the Pakistan Sports Board and the Sports Ministry had totally ignored such a serious issue despite being aware of the issue directly or indirectly.

According to reports, three male and five female athletes have tested positive for banned substances.

A couple of months ago, two leading female athletes had tested positive and were banned for two years.