Datin Marina Mahathir Interview with FFM

Find Futsal Super Admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:52:20 +0000

During the 3R Futsal Challenge 2009, FFM was fortunate enough to be granted a short interview with 3R’s executive producer, a lovely well-known public figure, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir (she blogs here).

Over a series of questions relating to women’s futsal and youth, Datin Marina remained patient and managed to be very insightful with her responses.

“Very encouraging and it’s really good to see such a good response,” answered Datin Marina when asked about the reception of this year’s installment of the 3R futsal competition. Although the magnitude was not as big as previous years, a crowd of 71 teams is definitely nothing less of a success, enabling 3R to reach a wide array of youngsters, providing a first step in educating them on the social and women’s issues plaguing the generation today. Part of 3R’s strive is also to encourage young women to take up sports and it of course includes, futsal.

Many would agree that futsal is a relatively new sport in Malaysia but its growth has been exponential over only this short period. However, ladies’ futsal unfortunately, has received little attention compared to the men. This is even more evident as Datin Marina shared a short story with us where a VIP invited to attend the premiere of Gol dan Gincu quipped, “I didn’t even know girls played futsal,” when asked what he thought of the movie. Such is the lack of exposure that women’s futsal is burdened with.

We also wanted to hear her opinion regarding the current level of sports in Malaysia and why it has yet to truly take off. One significant factor highlighted by Datin Marina is that sports as a career is an idea embraced by only a minority of parents in our country. “Parents here in Malaysia are too study oriented,” she says of them. Sports as a career has yet to receive any credibility in Malaysian society and a majority of parents would rather their children excel in their studies than “risk” their future by pursuing sports as a path to making a living.

Not one to discredit the importance of education, Datin Marina also thinks that more parents should encourage their children to play sports and participate in their sports development as she feels that the best way to lead is by example.

Photography by Aris Bundchen

These Girls Mean Business

Find Futsal Super Admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:54:51 +0000

Please click image for full view.

Last Sunday, 1st November 2009, the girls from 3R (read more HERE) played host to their 5th annual futsal tournament and Find Futsal Malaysia were on the scene to cover the hugely popular yearly event.

Consistent with every annual 3R Futsal Tournament held, the response remained at very encouraging levels and even surpassed expectations with the introduction of a new category, the mixed category (ladies and gentlemen on the same team). Over the 3 broad categories of Under-18 (ladies), open category (ladies) and mixed category, the 3R Futsal Tournament 2009 yielded an impressive turnout and attracted as many as 70 teams.

Apart from the futsal to be played out on that day, the event was also organized to highlight the many issues facing youth today, especially for young women. We’re sure that many of you share the same disgust we feel and find it very much appalling to hear things like violence against women and sexual discrimination still happening in Malaysia despite this day and age.

3R is very much at the forefront in helping young women deal with these harsh realities and where they collaborated with UNICEF in last year’s event to create awareness about HIV Aids, for the 2009 edition of the futsal tournament, 3R have worked together with LPPKN (National Population and Family Development Board) to create awareness amongst participants and the public about sex education and the reproductive systems.

Research conducted by LPPKN whereby most teenagers nowadays do not know much about sex and it is at a critical stage. Basic knowledge on sex education and the reproductive system is one of the ways to handle social issues such as abandoning babies, HIV and AIDS.

During a short intermission after lunch break, 3R girls, Tini and Rafidah played got participants involved in some fun games and right after, the multi-talented Hunny Madu (she blogs HERE) and her back-up dancers were on hand to lend their pizzazz to entertain the young crowd. Her performance was energetic, fun and got the players charged up and back on their feet to continue their quest to become champions of the tournament.

We write to attest that these girls mean business on the futsal court. Most of the guys present at the event would be more than willing to admit that the quality of futsal demonstrated by some of the teams at Sports Planet Ampang that Sunday have easily surpassed any expectations that they had before.

Some of the passes and plays put together by the ladies were immaculate and coupled with their strong will and gritty determination; it was a pleasure to watch them play with the fast paced action lasting right up to the final matches for all categories.

The winners took home home a trophy and cash worth up to RM 10,000, a certificate of participation and some exciting prizes from the sponsors, Figos, Kotex, Dove dan Radi Resources – Life Saver Medical Rescue.

For more photos of the event, just head on to our Facebook page and feel free to browse through our albums.

Find Futsal Malaysia » ladies futsal

Datin Marina Mahathir Interview with FFM

These Girls Mean Business

1. Women’s Under-18 Category

• Champion – FIGOS JUNIOR

• 1st Runner Up – MBPJ

• 2nd Runner Up – BONDA FC

• 4th Place – KMB TITANS

2. Mixed Team Category

• Champion – MBPJ

• 1st Runner Up – VANILLA FC

• 2nd Runner Up – MURANO

• 4th Place – PKPJ FC

3. Women’s Open Category

• Champion – PUTRA RIA

• 1st Runner Up – FIGOS PHOENIX

• 2nd Runner Up – SEVENS

• 4th Place – TERBILANG FC