Recently, in a video live-streamed by the Johor Volleyball Association, in a match between Johor and Melaka, the coach of the Melaka under-14 girl’s team was seen slapping 2 of his players in the face for losing a point.
Following the widespread attention it has gotten, the Youth & Sports Minister as well as the relevant bodies have since looked into the matter and suspended him from his responsibilities.
However, it seems that some believe that the coach had simply made a lapse of judgement. According to a report by Harian Metro, State Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) committee chairman V.P Shanmugam said that the teacher has been coaching both teenagers since they were in primary school and that the incident was the first.
“He is a very dedicated coach and teacher who has coached the Under-14 team not just for a day or two, but since their primary school days and treats his players like his own children.”
“The act of slapping shouldn’t have happened, but when entering the competition as a coach and a player’s performance dropped, it may have made him angry (to slap them) but not to the point of injuring them. Furthermore, this is the first time the Melaka volleyball team had made it to the semi-finals,” he added.
He explained that the coach, who is a secondary school teacher, has already issued an apology to the affected players immediately after the tournament in Kota Tinggi, Johor, ended on December 16.
Shanmugam also said that the coach had also met with the parents of both teenagers to apologise for his action and clear the air on what had happened during the incident.
“I am of the view that the case has been solved after the teenagers as well as their parents voluntarily accepted the apology from the coach. There was also no police report lodged (over the incident).”
He added that full report over the case was submitted to the National Sports Council yesterday and would be submitted to the Youth and Sports Ministry and that the Melaka Sports Council would make a decision this Wednesday either to suspend the coach or otherwise.
“If we can find ways to resolve the issue amicably, no action will taken against the coach in the case,” he said.
What do you think of his statements? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: M’sians Outraged Over Viral Video Of Melaka Volleyball Coach Slapping U-14 Players For Losing Point
