The recent controversy surrounding An Se Young, the Paris Olympics women’s singles badminton champion, has highlighted long-standing issues in South Korea’s national team, including reports of prolonged bullying. The “parental-style” and “punitive” coaching methods are increasingly seen as outdated, with no tolerance for coaches who use bullying as a tactic.
An Se Young revealed that over her seven years on the national team, she had to handle various chores for senior players, including cleaning rooms and even washing their personal items. These revelations shocked the public. Unfortunately, An Se Young’s experience is not unique; incidents rooted in the deeply ingrained “seniority culture” in South Korean sports have led to numerous scandals in recent years.
This “seniority culture” establishes a hierarchy where older or higher-ranking individuals receive more respect, but it has morphed into a system of inequality that fosters bullying. In sports, this translates into imbalanced dynamics between younger and older players, players and coaches, and players and sports organizations.
In Malaysian sports, many coaches still practice an outdated “parental” approach, believing that instilling fear in athletes asserts their authority. However, a coach should not be seen as a tyrant; athletes should both respect and admire them. Finding the right balance—motivating players while avoiding excessive pressure—is a challenge many coaches face. Coaching today’s athletes requires a different approach, similar to how we educate modern children.
While there is a saying that strict teachers produce excellent students, strictness should not equate to physical or verbal abuse. Athletes are often teenagers, still developing independent personalities, and bullying only results in fear and resistance, damaging their growth.
The “parental” and “punitive” methods are now outdated, and coaches must evolve. Successful coaches like NBA’s Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson, or soccer’s Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, not only master tactics but also understand psychology and management. Though strict, they earn athletes’ respect and admiration rather than resistance.
Athletes who train hard for national pride deserve better care and a respectful environment that acknowledges their individual rights. An Se Young’s case illustrates athletes’ pushback against authoritarian, bureaucratic approaches. Athletes are not mere tools for pursuing sporting glory; both sports management and coaching should adopt a more scientific and humane approach, prioritizing respect over sheer authority.
