March 8 – The 7th AFC Women’s Football Day – coinciding with International Women’s Day – has seen 33 of the Asian Football Confederation’s member associations hold special initiatives promoting female participation in the game.
Activities included tournaments, workshops and webinars as well promoting and recognising women already active in the game.
The AFC said more than 19,000 participants, including children, parents, women’s national players, coaches and professors are expected to be involved this year. Nine MAs – Bhutan, Cambodia, Guam, India, Kyrgyz Republic, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Singapore and Vietnam – joining the celebrations for the seventh consecutive year.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC has outlined its Vision to ensure that football remains the number one sport in Asia and our commitment towards strengthening the foundation of the women’s game by all accounts continues to play a pivotal role in achieving that ambition.
“The AFC’s determination to remain a model Confederation in world football has never been stronger and we call on everyone to pay tribute to the women in Asian football for their significant contributions in promoting and developing our great game.”
While the coronavirus has restricted some activities, the appetite to promote female participation and grow their game has in many ways widened the areas in which federations are engaging.
The Hong Kong Football Association is holding a Female Youth Football Medicine Webinar while the Kyrgyz Football Union is focussed on paying tribute to female medical frontliners and teachers.
In Mongolian and Brunei Darussalam, child safeguarding seminars are being hosted, while the Palestine Football Association has invited young players from different clubs to play friendly matches.
“Women’s football in Asia has made significant progress in recent years and our success is testament to the collective efforts and the years of hard work from AFC’s Member Associations to ensure the continued growth of the women’s game,” said Salman.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734937051labto1734937051ofdlr1734937051owedi1734937051sni@w1734937051ahsra1734937051w.wer1734937051dna1734937051
