KUALA LUMPUR – A foreign female swimming coach is being investigated for allegedly committing sexual harassment on an underage national para-athlete.
The 42-year-old coach was alleged to have forced herself on the male athlete at the Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPC) premises in Kg Pandan.
According to a highly placed source within the sports fraternity, the coach was caught red-handed and MPC’s management lodged a police report.
The source revealed that a total of nine underage para-swimmers have allegedly received verbal and physical abuse from the coach, who hails from China and has been actively coaching several swimmers with disabilities over the past nine years (2015 to 2024).
At the same time, the source also revealed that the coach was also accused of extorting money from the para-swimmers and threatening the athletes if they complained to higher authorities.
“Tired of being victims of sexual harassment and threats, a number of the athletes went on to lodge three complaints with the National Sports Council (NSC) last year, but no action has been taken so far.
“The coach was hired by NSC, and it is their responsibility to look into this matter seriously.
“The coach is a problematic person, and witnesses are saying that she always carried out her coaching duties while appearing to be drunk.
“Not only recently – the coach has also been seen sneaking into the male athletes’ dormitory on several occasions, purposely trying to be on the same bed with them, and attempting to commit sexual intercourse.
“Even coaches from other foreign countries are aware of this coach’s attitude. She has also been spotted ‘checking in’ at hotels with other foreign coaches during tournaments.
“There was also a time when this female coach was seen carrying a knife, threatening her husband who was a former coach for the swimming team.
“This incident happened at Kg Pandan Sports Complex,” said the source.
The source added that due to the coach’s “disturbing behaviour”, it is believed that several national para-swimmers have decided to boycott the training sessions for the national team until MPC takes further action.
Scoop has reached out to MPC president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin for clarification on the allegations. – February 26, 2024