Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC and its Member Associations are set to observe the inaugural AFC Women’s Football Day on March 8, this Sunday, which coincides with the International Women’s Day.
It is also an historic occasion as the AFC is the first football confederation to mark a special day for women’s football during which everyone across Asia is encouraged to celebrate through different football activities.
To start the countdown to the first-ever AFC Women’s Football Day, the AFC has spoken to three key figures in Asian football to see just they think about the momentous day, how they will observe it and what it will inspire them to do.
Akemi Noda, Chairperson of the Japan Football Association Women's Committee
“We drew up the 'Nadeshiko Vision' to develop our women's football. We think it is important to share the vision with the stakeholders in order to make a big movement in the development, improvement and grassroots for women's football. Especially we are focusing on the promotion of grassroots activities.
We at the JFA try to create as many opportunities as possible for women to be involved in football through the 'JFA Ladies/Girls Festival' and 'Nadeshiko Friendly Square', which are good and casual occasions to play football all over Japan.
We plan to celebrate the AFC Women's Football Day during our events, and I expect the activities to make a positive and significant impact on the participants and hope to share the joy of football with our Asian friends.”
Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation
“India will be playing Sri Lanka and hosts Myanmar in the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers which are to slated to be held in Mandalay, Myanmar later in March. We hope to cross the first hurdle to keep alive our chances of qualifying for Rio 2016.
“We also organised a month-long Preparatory Camp at the Shiv Nadar University in Dadri near New Delhi and the girls are raring to go. On AFC Women’s Football Day itself, i.e. March 8, the Indian national women’s contingent will be leaving for a championship.
“The All India Football Federation is leaving no stone unturned in promoting women’s football. We need to draw women into the sport for further popularisation of football in our country.
“The roadmap ahead has already been set. Even as we stick to our strategic plan, we understand that developing women’s football does not solely mean developing the sport in the field. Social development and respect for women are issues which also need to be dealt with.
“With FIFA’s support we are planning to launch a women’s league in 2016. We have also entered into an MoU with the Japan Football Association and will be having a Japanese head coach for our national women’s team.
“Our age-group teams are doing well at the AFC level and we are very much keen on taking that next step and climb up the FIFA ladder. There’s also huge emphasis which is being laid on our grassroots programmes.
“Needless to say that at the AIFF headquarters, we have a dedicated department to look into all aspects of the women’s game.”
Julie Teo, General Manager, Grassroots, Women’s Football and Volunteer Management, Football Association of Singapore
“Women’s football is one of the key pillars of the Football Association of Singapore’s Strategic Plan. One of our objectives is to get more people involved in football and playing the game, therefore we have in place several platforms for women’s football to progress in the near future, including setting up women’s age-group teams and sending them for international competitions, and enhancing the Women’s Premier League.
“We are delighted to be able to hold this inaugural AFC Women’s Football Day and celebrate the International Women’s Day at the same time, and we look forward to more ladies joining the sport in the coming years.”