A volleyball coach in Kazakhstan has been handed a two-year ban after footage of him striking an underage player during a match sparked a police investigation.
The incident occurred on October 26 at a tournament in Pavlodar. Video circulating on social media shows coach Hamit Mirzabekov calling a player wearing number nine to the sideline before hitting her on the head. She then returns to the court and continues playing.
The Kazakhstan Volleyball Federation suspended Mirzabekov from federation-sanctioned activities for two years. Tournament organizers and the Shymkent volleyball academy he represented also received formal reprimands.
Regional police have launched an investigation and questioned those involved.
Kazakh volleyball player Sabina Altynbekova condemned the incident, calling for stricter oversight of coaches and stronger measures to prevent physical and psychological abuse in sports.
“We do not live in the Soviet Union,” she said.
