SHAH ALAM: The coach who slapped two of his players after their team failed to qualify for the finals of an under 14 girls volleyball tournament may have apologised for his actions but the Education Ministry said it was not the end of the matter.
Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry viewed the issue seriously as it involved issues concerning discipline and integrity.
She said ministry officials had met with parents of the students who were physically abused by the coach and also other stakeholders to get feedback on the case.
"We are looking at the bigger picture. I know no police reports were lodged but that does not mean that is it.
"We (the ministry) are investigating the matter...we have our own department to deal with this," she said when met after her visit to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jalan Kebun in Section 32, Shah Alam, here, on the first day of reopening of the school sessions today.
Fadhlina said the ministry had also provided the teenagers who were slapped with counselling through the Melaka State Education Department.
She said the department officials had also met parents of the affected students and reassured them that the ministry would not compromise on matters relating to violence towards students.
Fadhlina however said that no decision has been made by the ministry on the fate of the coach.
The issue involving the volleyball coach came to light after he was caught on video slapping two of his teenage players. The coach has since apologised to the girls and their parents.
Melaka youth development, sports and non governmental organisation organisations executive councillor VP Shanmugam yesterday said the coach had also met the students' parents to apologise for his actions.
He said the incident happened as the coach was "very excited" over the team's progress before they narrowly lost to Johor.
"After the game, the coach explained the situation to the technical management, who had also reprimanded him. Following the incident, he met the two players and apologised. The matter was resolved on that day itself.
"So, the matter has been resolved and does not need to be protracted," he said, adding that the coach was "quite emotional" as he believed that the girls did not perform to his expectations.
According to Shanmugam, the coach was specially appointed by the Melaka Volleyball Association for this tournament.
The Malaysia Volleyball Association (Mava) has also announced that the coach had been suspended.
In the video clip which has gone viral on social media, the coach is seen slapping the two girls at the 2022 Malaysia Youth U14 Volleyball Championship in Johor recently.
His action drew the ire of many, including youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh who said it was wrong.