KUALA LUMPUR – The controversial coach of the Melaka U-14 girls’ volleyball team, who was recently taped slapping two of his players, has been temporarily suspended from any further involvement in the sport.
In a statement, the Malaysia Volleyball Association (MAVA) said they will set up an investigative body to examine the incident immediately and will get in contact with the relevant parties involved.
“MAVA takes the matter of a viral video clip involving the Melaka U-14 girls’ volleyball team coach that slapped two of the female players seriously.
“MAVA does not tolerate any use of roughness on any parties and is ready to take appropriate action in line with MAVA’s constitution,” it said in the statement.
The body added that the coach will be suspended from being involved in any national volleyball activities until the investigations were concluded.
Earlier today, The Vibes reported that two girls from the Melaka U-14 girls’ volleyball team were slapped by their coach during the 2022 Malaysia Youth U-14 Volleyball Championship in Johor.
In the third and fourth-placing matches between Melaka and Johor, the Melaka coach struck the two players after they had conceded a point to the opposite team.
The matter got the attention of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who took to Twitter to condemn the coach’s actions, saying that it was wrong.
Her predecessor, 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.”
Safe Sport Malaysia founding president Sarina Sundara Rajah also said that the lack of response from the athletes in the video showed that the coach’s behaviour was something that has been ongoing for some time and showed a more disturbing reality in the sporting industry. – The Vibes, January 1, 2023.
