Sports Ethics: Incidents And Solutions

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Introduction

A coach guides an athlete in a sport by evaluating the progression of the athlete, giving precise instructions and motivating them to do the best they can. However, there are such cases when an athlete needs more assistance to win a competition, a coach can be unprofessional. A coach may react to a certain degree which lead to an unethical conduct. Such behaviour is therefore unpleasant to certain companies, athletes and even parents of athletes. In this research, I would like to discuss the concerns and strategies for improving sports coaching’s professionalization.

Incident 1: Singapore national hurdler files official complaint accusing coach of misconduct

In year 2018, Singapore national hurdler Kerstin Ong, lodged a complaint against her coach (Singapore Athletics new coach who has his own business specializing in youth coaching). The coach was accused of using inappropriate words and gestures in the training session on the athlete. At first, Kerstin had explained the issue to her teammates and best friend, but they disdained her and advised her to solve it within the group. Her teammates even recommended that she fix this issue and support the coach, since he understands what is best for them all (CNA, 2018). She approached Singapore Athletics (SA) and decided to report to the police, because people are accusing her of lying. But what saddens the most was the case ended with the coach termination with no further investigation by SportsSG.

Proposed solution to Incident 1

Based on my understanding to be a certified coach in Singapore, a coach needs to undergo the SG-Coach Level 1 Theory Programme where they learn the important modules such as Values and Principles in Sport (VPS), Sports Development System, Communication and Relationship Building, Delivery Methods, Risk Management and Planning (Sport Singapore, July 10). With that said, Kerstin coach should understand his values and conduct as a coach is immoral. In support of that, as stated in the Coach’s Code of Ethics [Principle 2: Responsible Coaching point number 6]: Avoid sexual intimacy with your athlete. Any physical contact with your athletes should be only when necessary and during appropriate situations (Sport Singapore, July 10). I conform that Kerstin coach is guilty of his inappropriate actions towards her.

Kerstin’s coach should be suspended for misconduct in response to this incident and violating the code of practice as a Sports Coach. I think that a coach who contravenes the code of conduct should be held responsible and Sports Singapore or any sports organisation, should remove the coach license until further notice. In this modern-day family with young kids will be frightened by such report in the sports sector in Singapore. If taking this lightly, further problems would emerge and Singapore’s name in the sports sector would be tarnished. Also, during the evaluation of the future sports trainers, Sport Singapore or any reputable sports organization must be more vigilant. As a coach, the code of conduct should be strengthened, and the behaviour of coaches should be consistently monitored.

Incident 2: Lack of professionalism, accountability among issues hampering youth football development

I’ve realized from this article that a lack of quality training is our football club sports coach. The fact that governors like the Singapore Football Association (FAS) have not supported this may be the result. FAS chooses only its own coaches from the National Football Academy, the Junior COE (Centre of Excellence and the COE in development courses. It obviously demonstrates that in comparison to the normal trainers from a local college or private company, the FAS favours their own coaches. In addition, the way to win a match is to cheat by creating shortcuts that athletes can use during the match. It demonstrates that shortcuts are alternatives to solving every problem. Sadly, the team is always at the risk of losing in every game with the trainers currently missing the skills in quality coaching. Not only that, athletes are already training without a proper training ground, it dampens their interest in participating during the practice.

It also proves that the younger football player from local schools has no chance as coaches only look at Singapore Sports School players because they have a set training ground. This is unfair to every player who is competent in training but is ignored because of the training setting. This makes us feel disadvantaged as players from the same school and team become too complacent. Thus, making it difficult for us to win a game, because we lack competitive matches against local teams. It clearly shows how incompetent our football sports coaches are based on this article. They show no skill and no professionalism to train our own Singapore football players.

Proposed solution to Incident 2

We need to alter the entire sports coach framework to tackle incidents like this. As shown in the article, our soccer coaches are unethically incompetent as they do not find an initiative to get a better training ground, creating shortcut for a match and only getting athletes from the same schools due to the training ground. It undoubtedly shows how appalling the leadership of football is. Placing it side by side the coach’s code of ethics, the coaches has failed all 3 key principles of code of ethics. On the other hand, coaches need to be more open to other training facilities, giving other schools the opportunity to compete and select players who deserve to be in the national team to play for external matches.

Our football coaches have poor quality training and ignore the importance of upgrading their certifications and expertise of the sport or follow the current rules for coaching. Coaches should choose players who deserve to play in their national team in external games and be more open to other training facilities instead of being too selective. Prior to this, these coaches should be suspended and undergo the Singapore Coach Excellence (SG-Coach) Programme (Sport Singapore, 2019). The coaches must learn and apply contemporary coaching tips and comprehend the code of ethics before they are able to train for any sport. Coaches too must be a registered under the National Registry of Coaches (NROC) (Sport Singapore, 2019). Every coach must have a minimum qualification to be a coach for the sports industry. This provides coaches the chance to renew their coaching status by taking up-to-date training courses to enhance and protect the upcoming generation of athletes.

Incident 3: Two Russian coaches, doctor banned for doping still active in sport

Based on this article, Vladimir Mokhnev, a coach who had been advised due to the breach of laws of the Federation, did not comply with the law and continued to be a coach even after receiving his worthy penalty and sentence. But having achieved that, he not only got into difficulty but also to the athletes he had trained and consulted, they were removed from the competition. Whether the athlete is or is not using a drug, it is prohibited if they are being trained by a coach who is banned.

Proposed solution to Incident 3

It is illegal to take a drug. It’s an act of breach to ignore the law. The World Anti-Doping Agency states that the strategies to safeguard the values of sport are refined. According to the World Anti-Doping Code (hereinafter: WADA Code) ,’Anti-doping programs seek to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as “the spirit of sport”’ (World Anti-Doping Code –(WADA) Code, 2019). Sports values have thus been broadened to a wide range of subjects, including sports ethics, integrity, performance excellence and respect for sport rules and laws.

Coaches as such should be banned for life based on this incident. They took advantage of the first warning and found no fault in their irresponsible behaviour at the second warning. They even disturbed the involvement of athletes in competition. I think that because of their negligence, the World Anti-Doping Agency should prohibit and call a sensible penalty on them.

Conclusion

Ethics in sports should not be taken lightly in all three occurrences. Coaches should comply with and improve their coaching certification by the laws of sport. Coaches need to communicate well with athletes, parents and other stakeholders. And a coach should always act with responsibility irrespective of status, strength or weakness of the athlete.

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