KUALA LUMPUR – There has been a huge gender gap between women’s and men’s football in Malaysia, noted Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
He said that Malaysia and East Asian countries also need to play a more proactive role in strengthening women’s football in the region to bridge the gap with men’s football.
“Based on the presentation by WE League Japan chairman Kikuko Okajima, the gender gap index in Malaysia is high at 103.
“We need to improve the way we promote women’s football, including reporting by the local media,” Hamidin said at the Women's Empowerment Symposium held in conjunction with the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) 20th Anniversary in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.
Hamidin also noted that the coaching leadership for the women’s football team, Malayan Tigress, needs to be elevated to a better level.
“We need to improve the Malayan Tigress. This team needs to be streamlined so that it continues to roar, and this movement needs to start immediately, from the bottom, especially at the grassroots and coaching levels.
“However, as presented at this symposium, the movement to empower women’s football needs the cooperation and support of all parties, especially in media exposure,” he said.
Hamidin was also in Tokyo to accept EAFF’s invitation in conjunction with their 20th anniversary and watch the EAFF E-1 championship match. – The Vibes, July 27, 2022
