Teenage sprinter Himasha Eshan banned for one year

SAJEEWA JAYAKODY

Sri Lanka’s best 100 metre runner this year Himasha Eshan has been banned from competing in athletic meets for one year, said Sri Lanka’s Sports Medicine Unit Director General Prof Arjuna de Silva at a press briefing held at the Sports Medicine Unit, Colombo yesterday.

The 18-year-old athlete was tested positive from the random urine ‘B’ sample taken just after the sprinter emerged winner of the 100m final event clocking 10.5 seconds at the 90th National Athletic Championship, held on November 11 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Sri Lanka’s sporting circles were shocked when for the first time in the history a teenager was tested positive using banned substances declared by World Anti Doping Association (WADA). The Kalutara Vidyalaya student won the 100 metre sprint final with an impressive 10.5 seconds at the National Youth Sports Festival held from November 22 to 25 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The sample tested positive in a Malaysian laboratory on November 30, said the prominent physician who was appointed as the Director General of the Sports Medicine Unit on November 3, 2011. Speaking at the press briefing, Prof de Silva said: “It’s sad to announce that a talented schoolboy will be banned for one year from the competitive events. We had to take action against this athlete on behalf of others who strive hard for years sans consuming supplements.”

Eshan has taken JAK 3D (methyl hexamine), which was declared as a banned substance by the WADA. He has bought a supplement powder tin from a pharmacy on the advice of his coach Chaminda Perera and the athlete had consumed a spoon full before the 100m finals at the national athletics championship. It was revealed that the banned athlete’s coach Chaminda Perera is also due to be suspended from coaching.

“It was a serious mistake done by the coach,” said Prof Arjuna de Silva who intends to quit his post after next year’s South Asian Games which will be held in New Delhi, India. Prof de Silva, who was a one time rower and a member of the national pool, said: “I personally met him during a junior athletic championship and I advised him not to take supplements even though it was given by a coach.”