KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan revealed that the data recorded on abuse and harassment involving sportsmen is “scary”.
Speaking to The Vibes, he said that the data collected by the ministry’s Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (Iyres) is concerning and needs to be urgently presented to the incoming youth and sports minister.
“We have established that the issue is real and serious,” he said in an interview recently.
“We have the data thanks to Iyres’ very detailed study. I would say the figures are quite scary.”
However, Jana said he was unable to reveal the data until it is tabled to the cabinet.
Before doing so, he added that it is important for the new minister to take interest in the issue.
“We would like the cabinet to take it seriously. Let’s see. We will take it from there,” said Jana.
The data would be able to assist the ministry in implementing the Safe Sport Act, which aims to protect the rights and reputation of the sports fraternity including athletes and sports officials.
Former minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu had expressed that he intended to draft the Safe Sport Act and table it in Parliament but the plan was disrupted following the 15th general election.
Instead, his ministry and the National Sports Council have released the Safe Sport Code of Conduct last month to complement the Safe Sport Act, which is ready to be implemented in all sports associations by year-end. – The Vibes, December 2, 2022
