More women encouraged to take up flag football
CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Flag Football Association (Mafa) hopes to introduce the game of flag football, Malaysia’s latest pastime sport, to more women in the near future.
“We are introducing the game to women, where we have about 50 members (out of 200). This will give the players an advantage to play in a non-contact sport and gauge their abilities,” said Mafa president Muhamad Zairulnizam at its second major tournament called “Merdeka Bowl” yesterday.
“Our goal is to have an all-woman and all-man’s Malaysian teams next year. We’re also conducting tryouts in the meantime. We’re gearing towards playing at the international level that is organised by the International Federation of American Football,” he said.
Muhamad is no stranger to the game as he has been playing American football, which flag football is modelled after, since he was 13.
He added that Mafa was also attempting to stir more interest in the game nationwide, including in Sabah.
There are three major tournaments held throughout the year, namely Labour Day Bowl in May, Merdeka Bowl in August and the Monsoon Bowl in December.
At the nine-team tournament yesterday, Subang Trident thrashed Thunder Eagles 26-12 to win the Merdeka Bowl.
The other teams which took part were Juggernauts, Presbytis, Rhyhorn, Thunders, Bears, Nachos and Dracarys.