KUCHING, Oct 27: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan has proposed to the authorities to set up a safe reporting system to protect victims of abuse in sports in light of recent revelations by Sarawak diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg about her past experience of being bullied by a former coach.
Kho said not everyone dares to speak up or lodge a formal report openly.
She also opined that closed-circuit television (CCTV) should be installed at all training venues if it has not been done.
“For younger athletes, we cannot expect them to know how to make proper reports or have the maturity to know all their rights.
“Athletes who leave home to train at a specific training facility may not have the support system of friends and family to give the guidance and courage to lodge a complain,” she said in a statement.
In the meantime, Kho applauded Pandelela for her bravery to speak up against her former coach who bullied her.
Kho also thanked Pandelela for creating awareness of ongoing abuses in sports adding that she stood with her and all the athletes who may not have the courage to speak up.
Meanwhile, Pandelela had on Oct 21 tweeted that she had to endure sexual jokes and comments from a former coach for seven years.
The diving queen said that she did told the coach off but it resulted in her being bullied by him. — DayakDaily
