AIPS ASIA News:

In the final edition of “It’s My Game” in 2024, the-AFC.com traces the inspiring tale of AFC Women’s Football Committee Member and All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Executive Committee Member Sarila Maleku, a key pillar in the growing stature of women’s football in the South Asian nation.

Growing up in a football-loving community, it did not take long for her to set her sights on representing her country on the international stage. By the age of 15, her talent caught the attention of the then-national team coach, earning her a debut for Nepal in 1999 at the Continental level, where she represented the Gorkhali Chelis at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, then known as the AFC Women’s Championship.
 
Yet, what seemed to be a promising career was tragically cut short when an unsalvageable knee injury forced Maleku to hang up her boots at the tender age of 20.
 
However, while her dreams of excelling as a player were halted, her passion for the game burned bright, steering her towards a new role — one dedicated to supporting and nurturing the younger generation of female footballers. 
 
“I had big dreams for myself, but I couldn’t realise them because I injured my knee and had to stop playing,” said the former midfielder. “So, instead, I turned my attention towards supporting the younger generation of women footballers and developing the women’s game in my country.”
 
Having played competitively at a time when women’s football in Nepal was still in its infancy, Maleku’s empathy for the challenges faced by aspiring footballers plays a key role in providing the guidance needed to help them grow.
 
“Back then, it was incredibly challenging. Today, we are fortunate to have much more support,” she explained. “Having been on the other side of the table, I can relate to what young girls are going through. This enables me to encourage them, help them improve, and offer the right guidance. Women’s football in Nepal is still developing, but with support from the government and ANFA, we are working hard to change that.”
 
A proud member of the last Nepali squad to appear at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, Maleku has set her sights on helping Nepal earn back a prominent place in women’s football in Asia, starting with regional dominance at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship, in which Nepal have finished runners-up in three consecutive editions but are yet to clinch the title.
 
“The SAFF Women’s Championship is very popular in South Asia and in the near future, I want to see the Nepalese women’s team win the title, and we are collectively putting in a lot of effort to provide the team with the necessary support,” she said.
 
Beyond regional competitions, she highlighted the impact of not only the landmark AFC Women’s Champions League™, but also the various programmes which are continuously empowering women across all facets of the game.
 
“In many Member Associations, the AFC Women’s Champions League™ has allowed women to pursue the sport as true professionals,” Maleku said. “Being able to compete not just domestically but against top clubs across the Continent has given players invaluable exposure. It’s a testament to how far women’s football in Asia has come, and it makes me incredibly proud.
 
“Moreover, thanks to the many initiatives of the AFC, young girls are not only getting opportunities to play, but women are also engaging in coach education, futsal, and refereeing courses.”
 
Launched on the AFC Women’s Football Day in 2018, the AFC’s “It’s My Game” campaign continues to honor inspiring women in football throughout the world’s largest Continent, reaching millions of people via the AFC’s digital channels.

Courtesy AFC