FORMER Fiji footballer Manu Pokar is calling on FANCA Federation president Mohammed Yusuf to honour a promise he made when he assumed leadership, to introduce mandatory drug testing at FANCA tournaments.
Yusuf was elected president in 2016, and Pokar is now questioning how many tests have actually been conducted since.
“When he got elected, he made a promise among other things to start mandatory drug testing during the FANCA tournament. How many tests have been carried out since?” Pokar said.
Pokar said FANCA has grown significantly and besides football, the inclusion of other sports, such as, netball, golf and volleyball, athletes have grown significantly and there needs to be random drug tests.
With participation continuing to increase, he believes random drug testing should become an important part of the tournament.
“Yusuf, who is also the CEO of Fiji Football Association address fans of the drug use, its impact on the sport, team and players and after a decade as FANCA president has he followed up on it,” said Pokar, adding given the FANCA’s magnitude or any tournament that has the tendency of drug abuse, tests should be mandatory.
Pokar’s call comes on the heels of the 29th edition of the FANCA Muslim World Cup tournament as questions around drug testing, player welfare and integrity of the sport continue to feature prominently in football discussions in Fiji.
