In 2017, a task force was set up to study issues related to sexual and psychological harassment among elite athletes. Yet, the findings of the report remain a mystery.
The task force was set up after a national diver alleged, she was raped by a coach.
Former national diving coach Huang Qiang, however, was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, of raping the then 20-year-old athlete at a dry gym at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil in Sri Petaling, on Sept 26, 2017.
Datuk Marina Chin, a former sprinting star who also served as the principal of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), confirmed that the report was submitted to the then Youth and Sports minister, Khairy Jamaluddin.
“Among the findings was that there was abuse and harassment, not only sexual, but mental too,” said Chin.
“We also found it was not just male-female abuse. There was also male on male abuse going on.
“I do not know what happened to the report. Perhaps, some of the recommendations are being implemented, but I know some are not.
She revealed that one of the things the task force recommended was a recreation centre where athletes could go to relax, watch a movie, play games, or use the computer.
“At the same time, it would be a venue where they could lodge reports or talk to somebody. They could do it without raising suspicion, as the counsellors could be inside the recreation centre,” she added.
Chin stressed that there must be a strong political will to pass the Safe Sport Act, even if a general election takes place before it is tabled in Parliament.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said in the Dewan Rakyat recently, that the draft of the Act would be presented in the august House by the end of the year.
“There were several changes in government after we submitted our report. I hope even if we get a new youth and sports minister, he or she will continue fighting for safe sport,” Chin said.
Since Barisan Nasional was ousted in the 2018 general election, Malaysia had seen several changes in Putrajaya. Pakatan Harapan’s reign ended abruptly in 2020. Parti Bersatu Pribumi Malaysia’s Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was named prime minister, but his administration was short-lived following another political horse-trading that saw Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob of Umno becoming prime minister.
Chin was met after participating in a safe sport dialogue in Putrajaya over the weekend.
She was on the panel alongside Selangor princess Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, former national gymnast Sarina Sundara Rajah, and former beauty queen and iconic radio personality, Datuk Yasmin Yusoff.
They discussed the importance of athletes knowing their rights and not being afraid to speak out if they had been abused or had witnessed such acts.
“Athletes are afraid to speak out. They are worried about repercussions – they could be dropped from the national team – or that no one believes them.
“They need protection, so that they can report any abuse without fear,” said Chin.
The Safe Sport Act, once passed, would make it mandatory for coaches and administrators to report suspicions of abuse to the relevant law enforcement agencies within 24 hours.
There will also be a database for parents to review any complaints against their children’s coaches or administrators.
Similar to the task force report, the Act would recommend a Safe Sport Centre where athletes could go to lodge reports, or to seek advice.
Separately, Tengku Zatashah revealed plans for a Safe Sport Week.
“The IOC (International Olympic Council) declared Aug 8 as ‘Safe Sport Day’, but I would suggest a whole week, instead of just one day,” said Tengku Zatashah.
“I am involved in an anti-bullying campaign. We have a National Kindness Week, where rather than talk about the negatives, we highlight the positives.
“So, for Safe Sport Week, it could be about empowering our kids and athletes to have a voice and the courage to be the best that they can be.”
She added it should be an empowerment message, rather than “focusing on the negatives”.
