KUALA LUMPUR: As expected, the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) has confirmed that Hafifi Mansor will have his B sample tested.
MWF acting secretary Abu Hanapah Ismail said the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) have already been informed of the decision to test the B sample and the MWF are now awaiting further instructions from the world body.
IWF had last week provisionally suspended Hafifi for testing positive for the anabolic steroid oxymetholone during a competition earlier this year.
"We have confirmed with IWF that we will have Hafifi's B sample tested," said Hanapah when contacted today.
"The B sample will be tested at a lab in Sydney, as the sample was taken during a competition held in Australia.
"We have received confirmation that the sample was taken during the Australian Open which was held in Melbourne in March.
"We are not sure yet when the B sample will be tested, we are still awaiting further details from IWF."
The high cost involved in having the B sample tested is also an issue for the national body. It is believed that the cost of the re-test runs into the tens of thousands of ringgit, including travelling costs to witness the test.
Hanapah disclosed that the MWF may rope in the Australian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) to assist.
"We have not decided whether Hafifi himself will travel to Sydney to witness the test or if an official from MWF will be sent.
"There is also the possibility we could ask the AWF to assist us, as we can ask them to represent us when the test is conducted."
Hanapah, however, declined to divulge further details regarding the case. A main concern is why the result of the test was only made known this month, when the sample was taken in March, almost seven months ago.
"At the moment, this is all the information I am able to share, as MWF president Datuk Ong Poh Eng had dealt directly with IWF on the matter.
"Datuk Ong is away in Bangkok at the moment, as he is attending a meeting with the Asian Weightlifting Federation. We will get more details when he returns."
Hafifi faces a mandatory four year ban if his B sample also tests positive. He is also likely to be stripped of the gold medal he won at the Australian Open.