Representation matters. Thus, the remarkable accomplishment and leadership of our 10 women sports ambassadors in their respective fields is something that the ASEAN strives to amplify to inspire and connect people across the region, including youth,
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Despite being affected by COVID-19 restrictions, the Tokyo 2020 Games were held successfully last summer amid hardships due to the prolonged pandemic.

It proved that sports have continued to bring global communities together in the spirit of sportsmanship and unity and send out the messages of perseverance, hope, and resilience.

Apart from spreading positive vibes and messages, the Tokyo 2020 Games also gave us positive energy and allowed us reprieve from all the negative news.

It was a particularly historic moment for the ASEAN, as all three Olympic gold medals came from women athletes: Indonesia’s badminton doubles team Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu, Philippines’ weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and Thailand’s taekwondo athlete Panipak Wongpattanakit, while in the Paralympic Games, some 30 percent of all medals bagged by ASEAN countries were secured by women para athletes.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is the most gender-balanced games since its establishment. This year, women constitute 48.8 percent of the 11 thousand Olympians, increasing from 45.6 percent in 2016 and 44.2 percent in 2012.

It all occurred despite all the COVID-19 adversities and restrictions affecting the world’s socio-economic growth.

The ASEAN remains committed to ensuring full access to opportunities that will help women and girls thrive and actively participate in all decisions that affect building their livelihoods and independence, including in sports.

Building on such momentum, as long-time dialogue partners, the ASEAN and Japan work hand-in-hand to promote gender equality in and through sports.

This started back in 2017, when the ASEAN and Japan set priorities for cooperation in sports and agreed to work together in strengthening the participation of women and girls in sports and advancing sports for persons with disabilities, among others, in light of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The ASEAN Secretariat hosted the virtual ASEAN #WeScore Talk Show on December 3, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

This event forms part of a Japan-funded Campaign, ASEAN #WeScore, involving 10 appointed women as sports ambassadors: Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah (Bruneian polo athlete), Sokha Pov (Cambodian traditional martial arts athlete), Leani Ratri Oktila (Indonesian para-badminton athlete, gold and silver medalist of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games), Soulamphone Kerdla (Lao PDR’s national swimming team head coach), Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (Malaysian gymnast), Soe Soe Myar (taekwondo athlete and referee from Myanmar), Hidilyn Diaz (Filipino weightlifter), Amita Berthier (Singaporean fencer), Panikpak Wongpattanakit (Thai taekwondo athlete), and Tuyet Van Chau (Vietnamese taekwondo athlete).

Appointed by their respective countries as role models, the lineup of ambassadors demonstrates the value of inclusion and diversity in sports: male- and female-dominated sports, modern and traditional sports, and Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For several years, we have known that female athletes and sports professionals across the world continue to experience gender discrimination and even violence. Going back to the proportion of the female population in the region, the low recognition of social values in participation and achievements of women and girls in sports, as well as doubts in women’s leadership and negotiation skills to take lead in the sports sector might slow down our growth in the sports industry as a whole.

Representation matters. Thus, the remarkable accomplishment and leadership of our 10 women sports ambassadors in their respective fields is something that the ASEAN strives to amplify to inspire and connect people across the region, including youth, in several ways.

Using sports to raise awareness to educate the public about gender equality, inclusion, and resilience is something that the region should and will pursue.

Drawing from the conversation with the 10 women sports ambassadors, the ASEAN needs to think beyond the achievements of women and girls in sports activities and competitions.

Paying attention to women’s leadership and career paths in sports institutions, their safety and protection as well as stronger support to para sports platforms are measures that the region will make in order to keep our athletes motivated and help them thrive in any uncertainties.

For the next five years, the ASEAN sports sector will strengthen cooperation towards an active ASEAN Community where sports grow with integrity and serve as an essential means in advancing socio-cultural development and promoting peace, guided by the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025.

As stated in the 2013 Vientiane Declaration on Sports Cooperation in ASEAN by the sports ministers, the region’s cooperation in sports has to be strengthened in realizing the vision of an ASEAN Community to forge a common regional identity—and build a caring and sharing society. (INE)


*)Ekkaphab Phanthavong is the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

*)The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the ANTARA News Agency



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