KUALA LUMPUR, 2 FEBRUARY, 2012: The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) will send a letter to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) soon, to appeal for a reduced suspension period for dope cheat Raihan Yusoff.

   
Raihan, winner of the women's 53kg bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, was handed a four year suspension and US$5,000 (RM15,100) fine by the IWF for failing a dope test during the World Weightlifting Championships in France last November.
    
MWF President Zafarul Akbar Kassim said the federation would seek a two-year suspension instead, since the Kelantan-born weightlifter remains a bright prospect.
    
"Raihan is now 24 and is the main hope in women's weightlifting. She has a good track record and I am afraid she might lose interest in the sport due to the lengthy suspension period," he told Bernama today.
    
Zafarul said MWF would also hold discussions with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Sports Institute (ISN) soon.
    

-Bernama