KOTA BARU: THE Kelantan government will proceed with a plan to hold a female-only netball competition next month, despite the indignition it received from certain quarters.
State Youth and Sports Secretariat director Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said yesterday the move to bar men from watching the games was based on positive response from the public following a sports meet held exclusively for women in the state in 2007.
“The state government has experience in organising women-only sports which did not allow male spectators in the audience. It is important to continue with the ruling as we believe the participants will be more comfortable when taking part in sports.”
It was reported on Monday that a female-only netball competition will be held at all 14 parliamentary constituencies in Kelantan from Sept 6 to Oct 25, with only women players, officials and spectators.
State Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation Committee chairman Dr Ramli Mamat was quoted saying that players must wear long-sleeved T-shirts and loose-fitting track pants throughout the competition, while non-Muslim players need to dress decently. He said the requirements were based on a true compliance with syariah laws with covering of aurat or body parts in line with Islamic teachings.
Malaysian Netball Association president Datuk Suraya Yaacob said a female-only netball competition could raise questions on whether women were even allowed to take part in the sport.
“If this is a matter of covering the aurat, the organiser has to ensure that players do so without linking the issue with gender. We advocated sports for all, regardless of gender, and has always encouraged players to dress appropriately. Limiting the game to only female spectators and participants will serve to confuse the public. However, it is the organisers’ right to hold the competition with such restrictions, if they feel it is justifiable to do so.”
All Women’s Action Society (Awam) information communications officer Evelynne Gomez said the rationale in having only female spectators in a sports event was questionable.
“Awam believes men are rational, thinking people, thus (to have female-only spectators) will be an unfair judgment imposed upon them. It may perpetuate unwanted stereotypical gender ideals.”
Gomez said women should not be made to feel like they can only participate in sporting events under stringent conditions.
“If we allow such restrictions and segregation to happen in sporting events, this creates a platform for an increase in violation of women’s rights in other aspects of society too. Blatant segregation should not be the answer to female-led sporting initiatives. We need to consider whether the clear division being made is one that is helpful or detrimental to the mindset of those involved in the competition.”
Kelantan MCA economic consultative committee chairman Lua Choon Hann said a female-only competition would defeat the aim of reviving the sport in the state.
In an immediate response, Fadhli said MCA should not politicise the issue as it was the organisers’ right to introduce such rulings as long as it did not affect the course of the game.