Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and its Member Associations (MAs) will celebrate the milestone 10th edition of the AFC Women’s Football Day today to promote and honour the progress of women’s football in Asia.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and its Member Associations (MAs) will celebrate the milestone 10th edition of the AFC Women’s Football Day today to promote and honour the progress of women’s football in Asia.
With the popularity of the beautiful game soaring high, especially with the success of teams and match officials on the global stage, the tenth edition marks the highest number of participating MAs, equalling the milestone set in 2019.
Among them, seven MAs, namely, Bhutan Football Federation, Guam Football Association (GFA), All India Football Federation (AIFF), Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, Palestine Football Association, Football Association of Singapore, and Vietnam Football Federation, are joining the AFC in observing the day for the tenth successive time.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “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.
“From the stellar performances of national teams and clubs to the growing presence of women assuming leadership roles throughout the diverse expanse of our 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.”
Across the Continent, the AFC Women’s Football Day 2024 is poised to feature an array of activities, comprising workshops, small-sided matches, and friendly tournaments, and is expected to attract thousands of participants, including children, parents, women’s national team players and coaches, as well as local celebrities, to actively engage in the festivities.
Among the many highlights of the annual celebrations are the return of the GFA’s Sugar & Spice Middle School Girls Soccer Festival, and the AIFF’s virtual workshop, being organised specifically for teams and coaches participating in the Indian Women’s League.
Meanwhile, the Japan Football Association (JFA) will celebrate its annual JFA Women’s Football Day. Primarily run by women, the celebration aims to raise awareness on the importance of physical exercise, and will welcome participants of all ages to take part in a multisport event alongside football.
The event celebrates the many achievements of women in Asian football over the past year, notably the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, which marked the largest assembly of Asian women officials, while Yoshimi Yamashita etched her name in history at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ when she became the first woman to ever officiate at the men’s Continental showpiece.
While celebrating the commendable feats of the past year, the AFC Women’s Football Day 2024 also ushers in an exciting new chapter for women’s football development on the Continent, with the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League set to kick off in the 2024/2025 season.
Hailing these remarkable accomplishments, the AFC President added: “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 Association 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 2024.”
