Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s determined efforts to uplift and support the women’s game will reach a significant milestone this year when the Confederation’s Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) celebrate the 10th edition of the AFC Women’s Football Day.
It was nine years ago that the AFC scripted a new chapter in its rich history as the first Confederation in world football to establish the AFC Women’s Football Day to purposefully commemorate and celebrate the remarkable contributions that the women of Asian football have made to the beautiful game.
Since then, the AFC Women’s Football Day has evolved into one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the AFC’s calendar. Today, as I look back at how much we have achieved, it fills me with pride and joy and I cannot think of a day more suited to celebrate the occasion than March 8, when the whole world unites to celebrate International Women’s Day.
From the stellar performances of national teams and clubs to the growing presence of women assuming leadership roles throughout our diverse Continent, the role played by women has been indispensable to the AFC’s unwavering commitment to uphold its Vision of cementing its position as a model Confederation.
Among the many shining examples of the achievements of women in Asian football in the last year, the 2023 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will forever be etched in our minds as our national teams stood proudly among the best in the world.
From Australia’s historic Semi-final finish to Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa clinching the Golden Boot award – the Asian teams flew the Confederation’s flag high.
Moreover, the achievements of the national teams were complemented by the Confederation’s women match officials at the competition. With as many as 14 women officials from the Continent, the 2023 edition of the global showpiece marked the largest assembly of female officials from the AFC to be ever appointed to a FIFA World Cup.
Their exceptional calibre took centrestage once again at the recently concluded AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ when five of Asia’s women match officials, led by Yoshimi Yamashita, made their debut as the first women to officiate at the Continent’s premier men’s national team competition.
Needless to say, it has been a busy year, and one to be proud of. Thus, to every sung or unsung heroine who has contributed to the progress of women’s football in Asia, I am truly grateful.
Now, as we look ahead, there has never been a more exciting time for women’s football on the Continent. In only a few months, we will see the commencement of the first-ever edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League, which I am confident, will inspire countless young girls to dare to dream and envision their place in the ever-evolving landscape of women’s football.
The outstanding achievements that we have witnessed in just the last few years have made us all believe in the limitless possibilities that await us in the years to come, and as we continue to tread on this ambitious path, I want to assure every Member and Regional Association of the AFC’s unwavering support in their tireless endeavours to elevate women’s football in Asia.
On behalf of the entire AFC family, I wish all women in our MAs and RAs, a very happy International Women’s Day and a memorable AFC Women’s Football Day 2023.
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
AFC President
