STUDIES have revealed that women who excel in their careers were active in sports when they were in school or tertiary-levels.
Because sports help shape their character and equip them with a greater sense of competitiveness and resilience, said Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) vice-president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria.
Considering this, Norza called on Asian countries to allow the greater promotion of sports among women.
He added that a professional consultancy Deloitte study revealed that women who participated in sports also held top executive positions later in life.
Norza said this in his keynote address at the ASEAN regional conference on gender equity in sports at the Cititel Penang.
Norza also touched on the importance of greater women participation and excellence in sports in this modern era.
The conference was opened by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Yeoh addressed the audience with the reaffirmation that more efforts must be taken regionally to help women get involved in various segments of sports.
Besides promoting healthy living, Yeoh said that globally and regionally, the women in sports agenda continues to face challenges.
"Stereotypes—such as the outdated notion that a woman’s place is only at home—must be replaced with a vision that women can aspire to anything: in sport, academia, and leadership."
She said that to drive real change, stakeholders—particularly national sports associations—must create space and opportunities for women to rise within leadership and coaching roles.
"We must transform the fortunes of women in sports," she added. - June 24, 2025.
