‘High hopes’ as Indonesia’s women get another shot at national football league
Zahra Naqiyyah and players return to the field as the Indonesia Women's League kicks off its first matches since 2019.
Quick Look
Seven years after Covid-19 halted Indonesia's women's football league, the Indonesia Women's League returns with matches on Sunday, marking a new chapter for the sport in the country.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Covid-19 put the brakes on Indonesia’s new women’s football league seven years ago.
Seven years after Covid-19 put the brakes on Indonesia’s new women’s football league, Zahra Naqiyyah will finally return to the field with “high hopes” for the women’s game in the country.
Sunday’s matches in the Indonesia Women’s League will be the first since 2019 and a new chapter for women’s football in the Muslim-majority country of 290 million people.
“I really believe that if Indonesia’s women’s football is properly managed, we can become a powerhouse in Asia,” Zahra said at a training session in Bekasi city, east of Jakarta.
“I have high hopes for women’s football in Indonesia,” she added, wearing a black hijab and the turquoise jersey of her club, Garudayaksa Women.
Open Questions
- How many teams are participating in the renewed league?
- What is the long-term funding structure for the league?
