Volleyball Coach Under Fire For Slapping Players In Viral Video, While Players Defend His Techniques

By Quinny Tan  •  03 Jan 2023 in News

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A volleyball coach from the Melaka U-14 girls’ team has been suspended by the Malaysia Volleyball Association (Mava) due to a video of him caught on camera slapping two of his players.

The incident took place last month and Mava released a statement saying they would investigate the matter.

“Mava does not tolerate any violence against any party and is prepared to take further action in accordance with the law as well as the Mava constitution.

“The coach will be suspended from participating in any national volleyball activities until the investigation is completed.”

Persatuan Bola Tampar Malaysia (MAVA) telah menggantung jurulatih Melaka daripada sebarang penglibatan kejohanan kebangsaan sepanjang siasatan dijalankan atas insiden menampar 2 pemain wanita pic.twitter.com/RTx0GA3goQ

— ASTRO ARENA (@ASTROARENA) January 2, 2023

In the clip above, the coach is seen slapping two players during the 2022 Malaysia Youth U14 Volleyball Championship in Johor.

His actions caught the attention of youth and sports minister, Hannah Yeoh who aired her concerns on Twitter.

Read comments on slapping incident by volleyball coach saying it’s wrong to slap girls.
1. Slapping boys wrong too. Infact, slapping anyone is wrong.
2. Malaysians must stop normalising physical abuse as means for behavioural compliance – wrong on kids, athletes, spouse or maid!

— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) January 2, 2023

TQ KPM. Setelah berbincang dengan Menteri @FadhlinaSiddiq, @KBSMalaysia akan mengadakan siasatan bebas untuk mengenalpasti sama ada cara melatih menggunakan kekerasan sebegini telah lama diamalkan dalam pasukan bola tampar ini. We must learn from this, improve & ensure no repeat. https://t.co/bqntyny23c

— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) January 2, 2023

Meanwhile, former youth and sports minister, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, said such incidents could have a negative impact on the children.

The Education Ministry said it they will set out to meet the parents of the two teenage girls who were slapped by their volleyball coach.

“The ministry takes the matter as reported by the media seriously. It will provide full cooperation to the police should a report be lodged on the matter.

“At the same time, the ministry will conduct its own investigation for disciplinary purposes and if (the coach is) found guilty, appropriate action will be taken,” it said in a statement.

 

The players themselves have also come forward to give their statements via the Malacca volleyball club Twitter account in defense of their coach.

Kami sebagai pemain-pemain yang dilatih dan juga bermain untuk pasukan bawah 14 dan 16 tahun Melaka.

Beliau bukan gemuk dan botak yg korang boleh hina . Beliau coach kami yg mlatih kami drpd hatinya yg ikhlas Sehingga kami berjaya mencipta satu sejarah baru untuk negeri MELAKA. pic.twitter.com/731ZmMLHq8

— malacca volleyball club (@mastanahvc) January 2, 2023

The incident reportedly happened at a school in Johor involving the girls category of the Under-14 Junior Volleyball Championship on 16 December last year.