GEORGE TOWN, June 25 — Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has called on Asean nations to take concrete steps to increase the number of women coaches across the region, citing persistent gender imbalance in the field.
Speaking at the Asean Conference on Gender Equity in Sports, Yeoh noted that women currently make up only 20% of sports coaches in the region and face systemic barriers including bias, lack of support, and a shortage of role models.
To address this, Yeoh proposed the creation of national registries of women coaches and the implementation of structured support systems to help them advance at all levels. She also urged Asean countries to develop clear national plans with measurable timelines to achieve at least 30% women’s representation in sports leadership.
Supported by robust media strategies and mental health initiatives. Yeoh highlighted that Malaysia’s National Sports Institute is working to improve access for women in coaching, but recent data shows a dip in representation — from 20.7% in 2024 to 17.4% as of May 2025 — due to a wave of new coaching licences.
She stressed the need for urgent reforms to reverse the decline and promote sustainable gender equity in sports.
