Saad Khan Janjua suspended from coaching, remains Singapore Cricket CEO

Suspension for coaching misconduct, not administrative role

Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) chief executive Saad Khan Janjua has been suspended from all coaching duties for one year by Sport Singapore’s Safe Sport Commission, but will continue in his role as CEO of the national cricket body.

The suspension, which took effect on September 15, followed a formal investigation by the Safe Sport Commission into reports of verbal abuse made by players. According to a report by The Straits Times, the disciplinary process began with complaints filed in August 2024, prompting an investigation that concluded in February 2025. A disciplinary panel convened shortly after and determined the penalty.

Janjua, a former national team captain who has served as director of coaching since 2010 and CEO since 2015, is now barred from coaching and from influencing athlete preparation for the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Administrative suspension lifted after Safe Sport course

While the one-year coaching suspension remains in force, a separate administrative suspension placed on Janjua was lifted after he completed a mandatory Safe Sport educational course.

“Mr Janjua was also suspended from his role as a sport administrator, with reinstatement contingent upon completing the Safe Sport course for sport administrators,” the Safe Sport Commission said in a statement to The Straits Times.

“This course educates sport administrators on Safe Sport principles and ensures they understand their responsibilities while establishing good Safe Sport policies and practices in their organisation. The suspension has since been lifted following his completion of the course.

The course serves as educational intervention and national sports associations remain responsible for implementing appropriate safeguarding measures within their sports.”

SCA confirms no further action, Janjua remains CEO

SCA president Mahmood Gaznavi confirmed that the national body will not impose additional sanctions and supports Janjua continuing in his executive role.

“He (Janjua) was not to perform any sport administrator’s role until he successfully completed a Safe Sport course for sports administrators. Saad informed me that he immediately completed the course. Hence, there is no suspension in force.

I have sent Safe Sport an e-mail to seek verification that the course was successfully completed. SCA sees no need to supplement any other punitive measures because there is no reason for repeat sanctions,” Gaznavi told The Straits Times.

He added that the initial complaints concerned behavior from before the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, during which Janjua had served as team manager and mentor. That year, Singapore won gold in the cricket sixes format.

“SCA was informed of the complaint some months back. Before the Safe Sport decision, SCA had taken Saad off coaching and allowed him to concentrate on other areas including the (handling of) West Coast cricket grounds,” Gaznavi said.

Nature of complaints and lessons learned

While the specific incidents remain undisclosed, the SCA president acknowledged the general thrust of the allegations.

The complaint was that Janjua had “been too hard on the national players,” Gaznavi said, emphasizing that the SCA respected the ruling: “No quarrel with the decision.”

However, he also used the opportunity to stress the need for coaches to manage their intensity: “The passion to win matches must not translate to overzealousness.” He added, “There is a line to be drawn between being determined to win and projecting one’s overwhelming enthusiasm over the players when victory is eluded.”

Janjua responds: “I take on board Safe Sport’s input”

In his first public comments on the matter, Janjua told The Straits Times that he accepted the commission’s feedback and acted swiftly to comply.

“I take on board Safe Sport’s input and immediately attended the course in an attempt to rectify the issue. More importantly, I have gained by being able to appreciate what are the parameters that are relevant to Singapore sportsmen.”

Janjua will continue as the chief executive of SCA, with all administrative responsibilities reinstated. He remains suspended from coaching roles until September 2025.