Marina to head task force to prevent sexual-related incidents

PETALING JAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry will form a special task force to prevent sexual-related incidents involving athletes.

Kuala Lumpur SEA Games chef de mission Datuk Marina Chin (pic) has been appointed to head the task force.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the task force will study the issue of sexual harassment and athletes’ psychological state in high performance sports.

“The task force will come out with both short and long-term solutions to tackle the matter. This includes a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on handling complaints, whistle blower policy, athletes welfare and other related actions in regards to the case,” said Khairy in a statement.

“The task force will compile all their recommendations in a report and will be submitted to me.”

The sporting fraternity suffered a huge shock when one of the national diving team’s assistant coaches was remanded by police at the National Sports Council (NSC) on Monday over the alleged rape of a national diver.

Khairy said the coach has been suspended indefinitely pending police and internal investigations.

“I’ll leave it to the police to investigate and I have ordered all the agencies under the ministry to give their full co-operation to smoothen the investigation process,” said Khairy.

“At the same time NSC, the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will also launch their internal investigation.”