Women's football league to kick off next year

The success in organising the People's Football League (LBR) has led to having a special league for women's football.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president, Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah said the emphasis on development was in line with the push by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for each member to give focus to women's football.

He said apart from Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup women's football championship, LBR for women would be used to expand the involvement of women in the sport.

"We (FAM) have agreed starting next year, LBR will organise the women's championship in the country. We hope the championship will unearth new talents to represent the country.

"As announced, we will be hosting the SEA Games next year and we are expected to send four teams, namely men's and women's football as well as men's and women's futsal," he said when met by reporters after attending an LBR appreciation ceremony here.

Also present were FAM vice president Datuk Sudarsono Osman and LBR chairman Datuk Dr Shamsul Anwar Sulaiman.

A total of 109 teams will be taking part in the second season of LBR starting last Saturday (Sept 24). -- Bernama