The National Sports Institute (NSI) is remaining steadfast in backing national athlete Lee Chong Wei after Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the banned substance found in Lee’s urine samples were administered by a private doctor.

NSI chief executive officer Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said “there were cards yet to be played” as the NSI and Lee prepared for the impending doping hearing, English daily New Straits Times reported today.

Ramlan reiterated NSI’s desire to clear Lee’s name, through mitigation, at the coming Badminton World Federation (BWF) hearing.

“The rest of the matter, which is of any substance or consequence for the athlete’s defence, will be heard by the BWF’s panel.

“To comment further would be highly disrespectful of the federation’s procedures and may undermine our athlete’s prospects at the hearing,” Ramlan said.

Khairy announced yesterday that the banned substance, dexamethasone, was not administered by the NSI, but by a private doctor NSI referred Lee to for specialist treatment.

NSI prime target for blame?

On NSI being a prime target for blame on the issue, Ramlan remained adamant that much would be left to be told during mitigation.

“I am aware of some digits that seem compelled to point in our direction, with an apparent desire to apportion blame on a convenient target. But we wonder how conclusions can be reached by anybody without benefit of knowing all the underlying and pertinent facts,” he said.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on Saturday confirmed the national shuttler's second urine sample tested positive for dexamethasone.

However, BAM could not be name him due to Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations, pending a BWF hearing.

Lee was reportedly injured when he underwent the random doping test on Aug 30. The athlete risks a ban from the sport for up to two years.