Brits and Malaysians come together to cheer on the Lionesses

KUALA LUMPUR, August 16, 2023 - The British High Commission Kuala Lumpur hosted an exciting live viewing event for the intense semi-final showdown between England's Lionesses and the Australian Matildas at the 9th FIFA Women's Football World Cup. The gathering of over 50 distinguished guests from Malaysia's football, sports, and women's rights circles celebrated unity and the spirit of sportsmanship.

In her early engagements in Malaysia, British High Commissioner-designate Ms Ailsa Terry highlighted the unique power of sports, particularly football, to unite people. Emphasizing the UK's commitment to women's sports and empowerment, she stressed the need for continuous progress in promoting women's participation and leadership roles. The event provided an excellent platform for achieving these goals.

A pre-match panel discussion titled "It's Our Time: Women in Football" was moderated by 2023-2024 Chevening scholar and Astro SuperSports football commentator Elli Famira. The panel delved into women's challenges in the football industry and explored strategies to enhance equal opportunities. Notable participants included Dato' Suraya Yaacob from the Football Association Malaysia (FAM) and Selangor FC goalkeeper Samuel Jacob Sommerville.

The UK Government's support for global initiatives such as the Premier Skills programme, in partnership with the Premier League and the British Council, underscores football's unifying influence. The Premier Skills Malaysia programme, spanning 2009 to 2016, has trained numerous coaches who reached marginalized groups, including women and rural communities, through community and school initiatives.

The event showcased the British High Commission's commitment to fostering unity, inclusivity, and progress through the platform of women's football, reflecting the spirit of collaboration between the UK and Malaysia. We from padangbolasepak.com and the Malaysian Association of Recreational Sports (PBS-Rekreasi) extend our heartfelt wishes to British High Commissioner-designate Ms Ailsa Terry for a successful and impactful tenure ahead!

The following is the press release from the British High Commission