KUALA LUMPUR — The founding members of Safe Sport Malaysia have called on authorities and sporting bodies to step up protections for athletes, warning that unchecked abuse in sport can cause lasting harm and derail young talents.
Speaking to Scoop during a Sport Check podcast episode, Sarina Sundara Rajah, Safe Sport Malaysia’s founding president and former national gymnast, highlighted the organisation’s mission to embed safeguarding practices into sports culture, rather than treating them as optional.
She was joined by founding members Freda Liu, a radio personality, and Datuk Yasmin Yusuff, a TV and radio personality.
“Advocacy for safe sport is still in its early stages here,” Sarina said. “We realised there was a gap in awareness at every level—from parents and coaches to administrators and even top-level officials. Education is key, and embedding safeguarding into sports culture is essential.”
Safe Sport Malaysia’s founding mission centres on creating independent reporting mechanisms, codifying protective measures, and ultimately lobbying for legislation through a proposed Safe Sport Act.
The organisation draws inspiration from international examples, such as the United States, where the Safe Sport Act and Athletes’ Empowerment Act were enacted following the Larry Nassar gymnastics abuse scandal.
These reforms included independent reporting channels, comprehensive education, and systemic safeguards.
Locally, town halls with the Ministry of Youth and Sports have highlighted common issues across disciplines, from track and field to swimming and wushu, informing the creation of Malaysia’s Safe Sport Code in 2023.
Sarina also emphasised the role of media in keeping safeguarding conversations alive, noting that investigative reporting is critical for exposing systemic issues, informing the public, and highlighting preventive measures and positive reforms.
Safe Sport Malaysia is now focused on scaling its programmes, securing funding, and building partnerships with corporate sponsors and international agencies. They stressed that safeguarding should be integrated into corporate social responsibility initiatives and sports sponsorship.
The organisation also encourages athletes, parents, and coaches to undertake education on safeguarding, including online courses covering recognising abuse, setting boundaries, and understanding consent.
“Prevention is far better than reacting after harm has been done,” Sarina said.
The full interview with Sarina, Freda, and Yasmin is available on the Sport Check podcast, accessible via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major PODaBOOM platforms. — August 21, 2025