KUALA LUMPUR – The development of a proper ecosystem for Malaysian women’s football is needed to achieve success, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
“To be realistic, the ministry would like to take it one step at a time, and we would like to create a good ecosystem for women’s football in Malaysia first.
“The women’s team does have the potential, but most of our female footballers play it as a recreational sport, and it lacks competitiveness.
“I will be having a town hall meeting with the coaches and clubs next week to discuss elevating the ecosystem for the betterment of our women’s team,” she told Scoop.
Hannah said that women’s football in Malaysia has a great deal of potential and that their future is promising if they are properly guided.
“Our women are just as strong and capable as our men in sports, including football.
“With their determination and talent, I am confident that they can achieve great success on the international stage, such as the Women’s World Cup,” she said during the public screening of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup final, which was held at Mydin USJ, Subang Jaya, yesterday.
Hannah added that the ministry will work together with its stakeholders to have more live sports screenings in the future.
“We have quite a huge number of sports enthusiasts in our country, and we at the ministry aim to create more exposure and accessibility for our local sports fans to enjoy their favourite matches on a regular basis.
“The ministry aims to have more public screenings like this in the future, especially regarding Malaysian sports and our athletes, to ensure that our young people are inspired by our sporting heroes’ dedication and sacrifice for the nation in major sporting events,” she said.
Meanwhile, over 50 passionate football fans gathered to witness the thrilling encounter between Spain and England.
Nik Hakim, an ardent England fan, expressed his joy in being able to watch his favourite team on a big screen.
“I’m a big fan of the England women’s national team, and Manchester United’s attacking midfielder, Ella Toone, is my favourite women’s football player.
“It’s going to be an intense battle in this all-European World Cup final game as England has to face Spain’s women’s team, who are on top of their form with players like Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas.
“I hope England emerges victorious. In this match, I hope for them to add this Women’s World Cup to their European championship, which they won last year,” Hakim said.
Norman Rajan, a resident of Subang, got to know about the public screening of the final match while he was shopping with his family at Mydin Subang. He further said that he stopped to watch the game with the crowd due to the passion he has for the sport.
“I used to play football at a semi-professional level during my younger days, and my passion for the sport is beyond anything.”
“I was buying groceries with my family, and I suddenly heard a loud football commentary sound from the ground floor.
“I quickly told my wife to continue buying the groceries as I will watch the game with the fans on the ground floor. It doesn’t matter whether the sport is played by a man or woman; I will still watch the sport due to my passion for the game.”
“As a hardcore Liverpool fan, I’m rooting for the England women’s team to win this World Cup final. I would like to thank the Youth and Sports Ministry for organising this public screening event, and I hope to see the Malaysian women’s team play in the World Cup in the near future,” the passionate football fan said.
Spain sealed a thrilling 1-0 win against England in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Spanish captain Olga Carmona’s first-half goal proved to be the difference-maker as her side kept hold of the lead.
England came closest in the first half when Lauren Hemp was denied by the woodwork.
The win also helped Spain clinch their maiden WWC title. – August 21, 2023