KUALA LUMPUR: The deputy chef de mission of the Malaysian contingent to the 2023 SEA Games, Sharon Wee, wants to ensure that the emotional and mental state of the female mountain biking athlete, who allegedly suffered from sexual harassment, are in good condition ahead of the Games.
She said that she was very disappointed and surprised by the alleged incident of sexual harassment involving the national coach when there were only five weeks left before the Games scheduled from May 5 to 17 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, began.
It is all the more saddening as the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) just two weeks ago launched the Safe Sports Code, which includes guidance and references for the sports community on the scope of safe sports and responsibilities regarding the safety aspects of sexual harassment, bullying, and violence.
Sharon, a former squash player who represented the country for 20 years, said she was ready to provide counselling to athletes who were victims of sexual harassment.
“Together, we need to ensure that she feels safe and has no trauma so that she can continue to achieve success in cycling and make the country proud. But at the same time, I want the athlete to be taken care of, given space, given privacy, and we want her to be safe.
“As a woman, a national athlete, and a sports administrator, I do not agree and am against all sexual harassment in sports. The guilty parties should be brought to justice,” she told reporters after the national jetski squad’s training session at Tasik Biru Kundang last night.
Yesterday, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) confirmed that they had received a report regarding a case of sexual harassment involving a mountain bike (MTB) racer.
The athlete, who is in her 20s, lodged a police report on Thursday, claiming she was sexually harassed by her own coach while training with the team.
MNCF took immediate action to suspend the coach in question to assist in the investigation.
Commenting further, Sharon said that she is confident that MNCF and the police, in collaboration with the National Sports Council (MSN), KBS, and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), will conduct a detailed investigation into the case.
Meanwhile, Sharon, who has been a national athlete since the tender age of 13, said Malaysia, especially in terms of sports, is one of the safest countries for all groups, including women and children.
“But there are one or two people in this world who tarnish the safety of sports in our country. So this incident does not represent all athletes or society. Malaysia is a safe country, and sports are safe in Malaysia.
“What is important is that we find a solution together and create awareness that sports should be safe and carry out our respective responsibilities,” she said. – BERNAMA
