“It’s important to make it compulsory for coaches to be properly licensed, and that they commit to safe sports,” Yeoh said in her opening remarks at a screening of the film “Julie Keeps Quiet”, which explores sexual abuse in sports.
“We must also enforce background checks to ensure licensed coaches are free from prior misconduct and fit to work with youth athletes,” she said.
Her remarks come just days after two coaches were recently charged separately with sexual abuse.
A Selangor archery coach yesterday claimed trial to charges of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, while a Johor football coach earlier this week pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexually assaulting two of his 13-year-old trainees.
Yeoh said that these recent cases underscored the need to protect athletes through systemic safeguards, not just awareness.
She said her ministry had received 49 reports of misconduct, with 19 involving personnel under the National Sports Council, since the Safe Sport Code was introduced in 2023.
A safeguarding officer has since been appointed to advise the NSC on how to handle such cases, she added. We hope that, brick by brick, we can create a safe environment for athletes to thrive,” Yeoh said.
During the film’s screening, several other activists and athletes present urged the government to go further by enacting a dedicated Safe Sport Act.
Sarina Rajah, president of Safe Sport Malaysia, said that the current code was only a set of guidelines, and a new law would make athlete protection legally binding. “A law is needed to ensure enforcement, mandate education, and create a mechanism that protects athletes regardless of political shifts,” she said.
Lauren Ruyi, captain of the Malaysian U19 women’s football team, also spoke about how silence is often the norm in sports due to fear of retaliation.
“Silence doesn’t always mean there’s nothing to say; it’s often loaded with unspoken words,” she said. “I’ve seen friends hold back from raising issues because they didn’t want to lose their place on the team.”