MORE WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MALAYSIAN SPORTS

By Farah Najihah Zuraimi

KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 (Bernama) – When the final whistle blows and the championship trophy is lifted, the thunderous cheers are naturally directed at the athletes and teams who have fought relentlessly on the sports arena.

However, a closer look into these triumphs would often reveal a woman behind the scenes -- an ‘architect’ of victory -- crafting strategies and planning athlete development in meeting rooms to keep Malaysia on the right path to success.

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Their roles are now increasingly recognised, no longer mere figures in the background but key drivers of the nation’s sports landscape. Women are proving that they are not just supporters on the sidelines but leaders charting the direction of sports and making history at the highest level.

Many figures exemplify this, but Malaysian athletics legend Datuk Marina Chin ranks among the top names in the country’s sporting arena. She was one of the early trailblazers in leadership roles that were once dominated by men.

Starting her journey on the track, Marina has been entrusted with numerous major responsibilities, including serving as Principal of Bukit Jalil Sports School, Malaysia’s chef de mission for the 2017 SEA Games, leading research on sexual harassment and psychological issues in high-performance sports, and currently holding the position of chairman of the National Sports Institute (ISN) Board.

"I look at myself as a leader who has been given an opportunity, not as a woman who has been given an opportunity. I think people recognise me for what I am and not because I'm a woman leader," she told Bernama in conjunction with International Women's Day 2025, themed "Accelerate Action".

Marina believes that as women achieve more in sports and studies, they will become more independent and braver to take on tasks and then gain recognition for their successes.

"To me, women should be confident, and if they are given a task, just accept it and do to the best of their ability,” said Marina.

At 70 years old, Marina remains steadfast in offering her expertise to stakeholders, proving that being a woman is not a limitation but a strength. She hopes to see more women leading national sports associations in the future.

Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) head of the Athlete Career and Education Secretariat (MACE), Datuk Shalin Zulkifli, emphasised the importance of women’s involvement in sports management and administration to ensure equality in the development of both male and female athletes.

The former bowling queen urged women to take proactive steps in line with this year’s theme, calling on them to step forward and advocate for their rights in the sports industry.  

“For example, regarding athlete welfare, last year, we removed the clause that required pregnant athletes to have their contracts terminated and introduced maternity leave for athletes.

“These ideas naturally came from women, and with Hannah Yeoh as the Minister of Youth and Sports, it highlights the significance of having women in sports administration,” she said.

Olympic Council of Malaysia vice-president Datuk Mumtaz Jaffar believes that women’s diligence and strong focus make them valuable assets in sports leadership. 

“There must be a quota In every association. I believe that as we continue to show our progress, we will be given opportunities to be part of the associations we choose. However, each association has its own leadership dynamics,” said the former athletics star. 

The future of women in Malaysian sports leadership may look promising, but the journey towards equality is far from over. Continuous support from various parties, including the government, sports associations and fans, is crucial to ensuring that more women are given the opportunity to lead change.

– BERNAMA