Ministry Seeks to Introduce Code of Conduct for Athletes
Responsible Social Media Use a Key Focus Area
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 – The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is looking to introduce a code of conduct for athletes in the future, with guidelines for responsible social media use being a key focus area.
According to KBS minister Hannah Yeoh, the code could include guidelines on how athletes should use social media, especially during major events like the Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Examples from BAM and Other Nations
The idea for a code of conduct was sparked by a post-mortem session following the 2024 Olympic Games and 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. During this session, Hannah pointed to an example from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), which advised its shuttlers to refrain from using social media to ensure they remained fully focused on the competition.
“We are not able to roll that out to independent players but for BAM players, yes, we did. There are other athletes that are very active on social media uploading walking out the streets and hanging out when they are supposed to be practising. But this is the world of social media, you cannot really say you cannot post… but this is where I think when you have the body of experts here, we want to look into setting up a code of conduct for athletes,” Hannah said at a press conference today.
Post-Mortem Session and Feedback Gathering
The post-mortem session, which was attended by representatives from the National Sports Council (NSC), ISN, Ministry of Finance, the Olympic Council of Malaysia, the Paralympic Council of Malaysia, as well as experts from Nippon Sports Science University, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, aimed to provide additional insights into improving Malaysia’s performance at the Games.
Hannah stated that it was now time for greater discipline and professionalism from athletes representing the country.
“I think, as far as this government is concerned, we have given a lot to our athletes, especially the EPF (Employees Provident Fund) and Road To Gold (programme), anything (they need),” she said.
Developing the Code
In developing the code of conduct, Hannah emphasized the importance of gathering feedback from current and former athletes and consulting experts on how similar codes are implemented overseas.
Calls for Greater Discipline
Hannah’s comments come as part of a broader push by the government to improve Malaysian athletes’ performance at the international level. With many athletes struggling to maintain discipline and focus, the need for a code of conduct has become increasingly pressing.
Conclusion
The Ministry’s efforts to introduce a code of conduct for athletes are a step in the right direction, aimed at promoting greater discipline and professionalism among Malaysian athletes. The guidelines on responsible social media use are a key part of this effort, helping to ensure that athletes’ online activities do not hinder their performance on the field.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the code of conduct for athletes?
A: The code aims to promote greater discipline and professionalism among Malaysian athletes, while also providing guidelines for responsible social media use.
Q: Who will be included in the code of conduct?
A: The code will apply to all Malaysian athletes, including those from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and other national sporting associations.
Q: When will the code of conduct be implemented?
A: The Ministry is currently working on developing the code of conduct, with plans for its implementation in the near future.
Q: Who will be involved in developing the code of conduct?
A: The code of conduct will be developed by a team of experts from the Ministry, national sports associations, and other stakeholders, with input from current and former athletes.