Doping shreds fabric of sport

Dear Sir,

Match-fixing, doping and bribery have become the norm in international sports. Global sports represent 2% of world’s gross domestic product generating 900bn euros.
A culture of fame and admiration, combined with profits and wealth, seem to matter above all else, particularly in global sports. Doping in sports can be dated back to ancient Greece. Cheating in sports to attain fame and fortune could be compared to economic crimes, such as insider trading.  
Sadly, many athletes will join the pantheon of the greatest cheats in sports history. In today’s world, with fame, endorsement, drugs and so much to gain, it is not surprising that athletes are cheating in sports.
The nature and integrity of sports is destroyed when someone cheats. For glory and accolades, sports stars need to compete according to the rules of the game. Many perpetrators have got away with ruses for years, but more cheaters are being uncovered, and sooner or later, cheaters get caught and the sport they represent is scrutinised and shamed.
Many world-class athletes have lied and cheated. They are by virtue of their atrocious deeds, become amoral and a shame to their countries. Their contrition invites cynicism. The use of performance-enhancing drugs shreds the fabric of sport, since it is the ultimate betrayal of a fellow competitor.

Farouk Araie, Johannesburg

The reality of Russian raids
Dear Sir,

Despite ending its military campaign in Syria, Russia, it seems, will continue its support to Bashar al-Assad. Assad’s future role is main cause of difference between the government and the rebel groups.
Russia’s air campaign and motives raise several questions in every mind. At the start of its air campaign, Russia assured the world community that it would target extremist groups like Al Nusra and ISSL, but instead frequently targeted rebel groups. Due to Russian air strikes, several thousand people have left their homes and Turkey is facing new wave of migrants from Aleppo and other parts of Syria.
The reality is that Russia’s air campaign only benefits Assad’s brutal regime. After Russian raids, Assad forces made major gains in rebel-held areas. ISSL still has a strong position in Al Raqqa and Al Nusra is still operating in several parts of Syria. Killing of innocent civilians, targeting mosques, schools, markets and civilian residential areas now has become black chapter of Russian war history.
More than 6,000 civilians have been killed due to Russian air strikes and things are going from bad to worse.
 
Khawaja Umer Farooq, kufarooq2@gmail.com

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