HK coach apologizes after video shows him slapping young player

A former student of a well-known Hong Kong basketball coach, seen in a video slapping a young player, has defended his disciplinary approach as acceptable despite legal experts warning the conduct could constitute common assault.

Veteran coach Yung Kam-wah apologised on Tuesday over the incident, which took place two years ago, after the video recently went viral and sparked public concern.

In the clip, Yung first takes a jacket from the boy’s hand and throws it to the ground, then grabs the student’s left hand and uses it to slap his left cheek three times in quick succession.

After a brief pause, and without releasing the boy’s hand, Yung strikes the boy’s cheek three more times with his own left hand, with the force visibly moving the boy’s hair.

He then releases the boy’s hand and gestures towards him, prompting the boy to slap his own right cheek once more. They are at a school playground, surrounded by other students wearing basketball jerseys.

The South China Morning Post learned that the Form Two student from Hon Wah College in Siu Sai Wan was punished for being late and was accused of neglecting basketball training.