Adidas and the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) have establish cooperation to launch the Adidas Malaysia Girls Football Program (AMGFP).
The AMGFP aims to make football accessible to girls aged 9-14, providing them with training sessions and support from both adidas and PFAM.
With quarterly sessions scheduled, the collaboration seeks to uplift aspiring female footballers, making a significant impact on the future of women’s football in Malaysia.
The initiative was inaugurated at the Royal Selangor Club, gained additional momentum with football icon David Beckham’s visit, engaging not only with fans but also inspiring and interacting with young female football players participating in the AMGFP.
The AMGFP, a collaborative effort between adidas and PFAM, is designed to reshape the landscape of women’s football in Malaysia, offering young female footballers a platform for growth, empowerment, and skill development.
“In Malaysia, women’s football faces challenges ranging from combating societal stigma, discrimination, and lack of access,” Izham Ismail, PFAM’s CEO.
“However, it has successfully grown due to the resilience of our female athletes, and today is their day. Thanks for making it more relevant than ever. It’s not just a program but a catalyst to nurture women’s football talent, providing a platform and a safe space for them to feel recognized and have opportunities to grow.”
His sentiments was supported by Sharmin Photographer, adidas Malaysia Country Manager, recalling the global enthusiasm during the 2023 Australia-New Zealand World Cup.
“When we reached the final, we felt the entire world supporting women’s football, and Steffi was with me. We felt it was time to do something for Malaysian women interested in this sport and to advance their game.”
Malaysian woman’s footballer, Steffi Sidhu, shared her experiences and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated sport. She emphasized how questions about her ability weakened her spirit but fueled her determination to prove the naysayers wrong.
“Year after year, what I wanted to do was to improve, self-correct, and I am grateful to PFAM and adidas for wanting to help women succeed in this sport,” she said.
