The art of a sincere and heartfelt apology is one of the greatest skills you’ll ever learn in life
Kiefer Ravena offered his deepest apologies to the country, his family, his fans, and sporting leaders that were in attendance during his press conference held in Mandaluyong City, Monday evening.
The 24-year-old cager was slapped by the International Basketball Federation with a harsh 18-month suspension from FIBA-sanctioned tournaments after his random drug test result saw traces of 4-methylhexan-2-amine (methylhexaneamine), 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (DMBA), and higenamine in his system. Compounds methylhexaneamine and DMBA are banned substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Not claiming innocence, Ravena disclosed that the recovery drink he took in, a brand known as “Dust”, was not his usual drink of choice.
“Amidst everything, I am in front of you guys today to take full responsibility of my actions despite how painful and dreadful it is,” lamented the second-generation cager.
“I regret taking this pre-workout drink without analyzing and taking extra time to read its ingredients.”
According to his statement to FIBA, Ravena normally buys a brand called C4. However, when the drink was not in stock, he was recommended to buy Dust. Dust had the three flagged substances in it.
Though not knowing the rules does not entail innocence, FIBA decreased Ravena’s punishment from 24 months to 18 months because of his cooperation and admission to his fault.
FIBA’s statement read:
“The Player [Kiefer Ravena] had not received any formal anti-doping education but had learned a very valuable lesson through this experience; The Player regrets unintentionally violating the FIBA anti-doping rules; and, The Player had been tested twice by SBP when taking C4 and had no positive results.”
Even if the punishment is stiff, Ravena is ready to face it.
“I’m a responsible man, I will face the conesequences no matter how painful it is,” he vowed.
“We agree to make this an advocacy and for me to be an instrument for the education of the Filipino athletes with regards to this issue.”
