We all know how difficult it is to maintain a good work-life balance, between your job and your other responsibilities and hobbies.
But as long as you have a supportive circle around you and have bosses who are flexible, you can always make things work.
That’s unfortunately not the case for national cricket player, Harinder Sekhon, who took to his Facebook page to share how the national cricket team’s coach had kicked him out of the team’s WhatsApp group, with no explanation, because he couldn’t make it for a practice because of work.
He wrote, “How can the national cricket team coach just remove me because I can’t make it to training tomorrow as it clashes with my day job? No proper solution with the management. No help. Not even a conversation with me. Imagine opening your WhatsApp and seeing you’ve been removed just like that!”
On top of his role as a full time teacher and a national cricket player, Harinder is the Guinness World Records holder for the highest single-leg standing jump of 1.384 metres.
“I’m juggling work (full time teacher) and playing cricket, as well as I’m in the process of breaking another jumping world record. Within minutes of giving my unavailability for the training session tomorrow, I get removed by the coach,”
“I private messaged him before this to inform him of my difficult situation with work and family at this time. He says he overlooked my message, adds me back to the group and doesn’t give a proper reason to remove me, then he removes me AGAIN,” he said, adding that his team mates who are also balancing work and studies were never removed when they were unavailable.
He went on to share potential solutions to his unavailability.
“There are many solutions: evening session, allowing me to come late or one-on-one sessions whenever. I’m not sure why this seems like the right solution for him. I never said I’m retiring or taking a break from cricket. Does the coach have sole authority to remove players?”
“I’m genuinely disappointed and am tired with the system. I’ve sacrificed so much to achieve what I have so far for my country and in return there is zero respect and communication. Plenty more matters and issues are swept under the rug,” he added.
Among the issues includes alleged favoritism
“Not giving players fair chances in selection matches so that ‘favourites’ can get better opportunities and picked. 2 to 3 months ago, before a tour to Canada, out of 5 selection matches I was available for 3 and in all 3, I wasn’t given a chance to bat,”
“No reason has still been given about this still, to this day. The coach says he will meet and talk with me after the tournament but nothing has happened,” Harinder explained.
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Harinder shared that an internal investigation is now ongoing on this matter as confirmed by the president of the Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA).
“I am curious to see the outcome of their investigation and the remedial processes that will be put in place by the MCA for the future of the sport and the players in the long run,”
“In hope for the betterment of cricket for and in Malaysia, and the treatment of my teammates and juniors, something need to be done. I’m lucky and privileged enough to speak out about this unlike some of my teammates. I have been quiet about this publicly for too long. Years of mental torture and mistreatment comes to an end today for me.”
It is truly saddening to see how our national players and representatives of our country, especially those who champion Malaysia on the international stage, get treated with little to no respect and consideration.
We hope for nothing but the best for Harinder and the situation he has to endure.
Stay tuned for more updates.
