No pain, no gain? Ex-player defends ‘unique’ method of coach seen slapping student

But legal experts say coach’s actions could constitute common assault, even if he used pupil’s own hand to make him hit himself

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 in a school playground, with other students wearing basketball jerseys surrounding them.

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.