Three Cheers for Women's Football by Rafidah Abdullah
Taken from The Sun 'Freespace' Column

In honour of the World Cup, let’s put a different spin on a topical subject. The question for today is: what is women’s football?

Technically, it is just like men’s football, but played by women. Culturally, however, women’s and men’s football exist in completely different realities. While men’s football is an internationally revered game worth billions of dollars and drawing fanatical support from all across the globe, women’s football still faces incredible prejudice and obstacles worldwide.

That’s because women can’t play, right?

I take it, you pathetic ignoramus, that you mean women lack the innate ability to play this game? Let me just point out that since this game does not in any way involve the use of one’s sexual organs, there is really no difference in playing ability between a male and a female. All else being equal, of course.

What do you mean, ‘all else being equal’?

Well, let’s see. Boys are encouraged from a young age to learn the game while girls are told that they are unfeminine if they so much as show a bit of interest. Boys are absorbed into teams and play in regular matches even at school level while girls regularly have to battle school administrations in order to be allowed to play. Men’s teams enjoy various kinds of support, including the existence of professional and semi-professional leagues, generous sponsorships, training by the best people that money can buy, and unwavering fans. How many women’s teams can claim to have all that?

In Iran, women are not allowed to so much as watch football matches in stadiums. And this blatant injustice cannot even be questioned – a fact that is highlighted by the banning of the film “Offside” by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, which tells the story of six girls who masquerade as boys in order to be able to watch their national team in action.

We may think this backward mentality when it comes to women and football is worlds away from progressive Malaysia, but is it really? Recently Dollah Salleh was asked on a women’s programme whether he would allow his daughter to play football. Guess what his answer was (hint: it ain’t yes). This from a former national footballer?! Nice.

But you know… it is a rather masculine game. Why can’t girls take up more a feminine sport?

Just where did this whole notion of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ sports come from? Is football more or less ‘masculine’ than, say, hockey? They’re pretty similar. So why is it ok for girls to play hockey, but they’re suddenly ‘unfeminine’ when they take up football? For that matter, is a male gymnast less ‘masculine’ than a footballer? What about a guy who has no interest in sports? Should he just throw in the towel and go for a sex-change operation?

Sports is all about passion. All true sports fans know this. If you love football, surely no other sport will do. This is true whether you are male or female.

Fine, you’ve made your point. Still, we have a long way to go for Malaysian women’s football. I heard that the national team recently got a 15-0 (some reports say 16-0) trouncing from Myanmar right here in Stadium Bukit Jalil. With that kind of performance, how do they expect any support?

Yes, there are problems with the national women’s football team, but it is generally agreed that Malaysian soccer, male or female, is deeply, deeply troubled. In fact, wasn’t MyTeam created precisely to highlight this point? This doesn’t mean that we should not support the sport. In fact, the best support we can give is to take an interest, voice our concerns and give constructive criticism via any platform available (blog, anyone?) An apathetic attitude will be the death knell of the sport.

So, if we want to see our women shine on the pitch, here’s what I say:

1. Parents, stop being sexist! If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of your girl playing football, just think of it as a course on self-esteem, healthy living and teamwork. The ball is just a tool.

2. FAM, our women deserve better. A proper selection process, attractive remunerations, regular training and aggressive promotions would definitely be a good start.

3. MyTeam, once more for the girls, please! You know you want to…

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