KUALA LUMPUR – “It’s an incredible move for the athletes. It’s about time.”
Former national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi applauded the Youth and Sports Ministry’s efforts to protect athletes’ wellbeing through the implementation of the Safe Sport Act.
Speaking to The Vibes, Farah said if the Act could be implemented, it would be a way forward for athletes and the sporting industry to safeguard themselves from sexual harassment.
“Of course, in the past, there have been ways for athletes to come forward. This Act strengthens the resolve of an athlete to train in a safe environment.
“This way, perpetrators would be accountable for their actions.
“It’s about time. I hope with this (Act), the sporting industry in Malaysia can progress to a higher level,” she said.
Farah, who recently retired from the world of competitive gymnastics, shared that there have been situations where some athletes refused to come forward because they were afraid of the repercussions on their careers.
Keshika Subbarao − a coach at FC Kuala Lumpur – shared the same opinion as the former gymnast.
“The existence of this Act, hopefully, will safeguard our athletes. If they know that they are in a safe space, then they can focus on their training rather than be afraid of what will happen to them,” she said.
Meanwhile, other prominent figures in the sporting scene resonated with the ministry’s move to prevent issues like this from arising in the future.
National men’s field hockey team head coach Arul Selvaraj emphasised the importance of education on topics pertaining to sexual harassment at a young age, especially in schools.
“It’s mainly about education, without it, many young children wouldn’t know what had happened to them until they were much older but (by then) it would have been too late.
“If the Act is implemented, it’s definitely a good thing (for it to happen) − it’s very healthy to have this Act in sports,” he said.
Arul also said that the Act would give parents the added assurance to allow their children to participate in sports.
“The good thing is, it will also encourage young kids to be brave enough − in a way − that if any of these things were to happen to them, they would not hesitate to inform their parents about it.
“Because once you go through things like that, it stays with you for a long time,” he added.
Former Harimau Malaya head coach B. Sathianathan said that steps must be taken to ensure that the act is implemented and enforced in the right way.
“There are certain rules that must be put in place as everyone wants to avoid issues of sexual harassment.
“There must be important standard operating procedures (SOPs) set for those involved in sports,” he said.
Sathianathan added that if the Act is implemented, sporting associations should have a proper understanding of it and the capacity to enforce it accordingly.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal shared a similar sentiment, saying: “The Act must be understood by the associations after it is passed.”
“Those responsible have to explain it well and ensure it is carried out properly.”
He says whatever is good for the welfare and safety of athletes should be implemented and not be hindered in any way.
“It is something good, and we, in hockey, support it fully,” he added.
In a written parliamentary reply to Rohani Abdul Karim (Batang Lupar-GPS) yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said a draft of the Safe Sport Act to address sexual harassment involving athletes will be ready by December.
Rohani was inquiring about the extent to which the ministry would respond to allegations of sexual harassment of athletes and how they plan to monitor athletes’ training and programmes to prevent this misconduct from occurring.
The written reply also stated that the Act is aimed at helping and guiding all stakeholders in addressing the issue of sexual harassment whilst ensuring that the system can protect all parties involved in sports from a legal perspective.
Additionally, through the National Sports Council, the ministry has established a Misconduct And Internal Protection Committee in Sports in 2020 to ensure the management of complaints related to high-performance sports in the country is handled efficiently and effectively.
With the establishment of this committee, a dedicated channel has been provided for athletes, coaches, sports officials and associations to come forward and voice their complaints, problems and views without fear of repercussions. – The Vibes, March 25, 2022
