KUALA LUMPUR – A recent incident of unwarranted violence against underage volleyball players has drawn attention from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
The Segambut MP took to Twitter to respond to The Vibes’ article highlighting an incident that transpired during the 2022 Malaysia U14 Volleyball Championship in Johor, where the Melaka coach was seen slapping two of his players during a match against the hosts.
This is wrong. Spoken to @FadhlinaSiddiq and we are both getting more information on this incident. https://t.co/cXOvgTebYF
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) January 1, 2023
“This is wrong,” said Yeoh on the microblogging site.
In the tweet, Yeoh also tagged Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, saying that they have spoken about the matter and were in the midst of gathering more relevant information on the issue.
Meanwhile, former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu also responded to the incident on Twitter, saying there was “no space in sports or life for this kind of abusive behaviour.”
No space in sports or life for this kind of abusive behaviour. Education, awareness and effective supervision is important to ensure mutual respect between athletes, coaches and administrators. pic.twitter.com/pSgUUZJte3
— Faizal Azumu (@PejaOfPerak) January 1, 2023
“Education, awareness, and effective supervision are important to ensure mutual respect between athletes, coaches, and administrators,” he said.
Speaking to The Vibes, Safe Sport Malaysia founding president Sarina Sundara Rajah said that the lack of response from the athletes showed a more disturbing reality.
“Many of these athletes don’t recognise or understand what constitutes harassment and abuse in sports. But, judging from the video, the athletes don’t seem surprised,” said the former Commonwealth gold medallist.
“These athletes are socialised into believing they should endure this abusive behaviour, while bystanders, including family members, think they shouldn’t interfere. Some may even see this abusive behaviour as ‘functional,’ leading to improved performance.
“A crucial part of athletes’ safeguarding is to increase athletes’ awareness, knowledge, and behaviour regarding harassment and abuse in sports. With steps taken to nurture athletes’ empowerment through awareness and education, they will learn to protect themselves.”
The incident took place on December 16, 2022, during the tournament’s third- and fourth-place match between Melaka and Johor.
In the first set, Melaka were trailing 16-11 when a timeout was called, and the Melaka coach can be seen in the video slapping two of his players, both aged under 14, for conceding a point to their opponents.
Melaka would go on to lose the match although they put on a tough fight for their opponents by forcing the match into a fifth and final set. – The Vibes, January 1, 2023
