In the early sixties, women's football was played more as a novelty in this region. Over the years it has gained popularity and currently, competitive football is being played at Junior and Senior level in many Asian countries. Administrative control of women football activities was rather loose and the need to form a central body to look after this aspect was very much felt and at an inaugural meeting of representatives from Chinese Taipei, Hong _ Kong, Malaysia and Singapore in April, 1968, the Asian Ladies Football Confederation came into being. Seven years later, the first Asian Women's Championship was held in Hong Kong. Following the success of the inaugural event, it was decided to hold the tournament every two years.

The past winners of the prestigious Asian Women's Football Championship are as follows:

Winner of the1st championship in 1975 - 
New Zealand Winner of the 2nd championship in 1977 - 
Taiwan Winner of the 3rd championship in 1979 - 
Taiwan Winner of the 4th championship in 1981 -
Taiwan Winner of the 5th championship in 1983 -
Thailand Winner of the 6th championship in 1986 - 
China PIR Winner of the 7th championship in 1989 - 
China PIR Winner of the 8th championship in 1991 - 
China PIR Winner of the 9th championship in 1993 - 
China PIR Winner of the 110th championship in 1995- 
China PIR Winner of the I I th championship in 1997- China PR

AFC WOMEN'S COMMITTEE MEMBERS
 (TERM: 1998 - 2002)

Chairperson: Ms. Veronica Chan  Hong Kong
Dept. Chairman: Mr. Vijit Gefkaew Thailand
Members: Mr. Eiji Yanagihara Japan
 Mr. Zhao Jinfu China PR
 Mr. Kim Jong Man DIDR Korea
 Mr. Koo Yung Chinese Taipei
Co-opted Ms. Kelly Hogan Guam
 Mr. Muminov Alisher Uzbekistan
 Mr. A.R.Khaleel India
Head of Women's Department Mr. Alex Soosay
Secretary Ms. Sheeda

1 . South East Asian Games (Biannually)
2. Asian Women's Championship (Biannually)
3. Asian Games  (Quarterly)

Women's Football is very active in the following countries:

I . China PR
2. Japan
3. DPR Korea
4. Korea Rep
5. Chinese Taipei
6. Hong Kong
7. Thailand
8. Philippines
9.  India
10.Uzbekisf an
11.Vietnam
12.Myanmar
13.Malaysia
14.Indonesia
15.Nepal
16.Kazakhstan
17.Singapore
18. Guam

Since 1986, China has been maintaining its position as champions of Asia.
China has come a long way thus since they won the silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Nevertheless, the tireless efforts and hard work put together to develop the game in China has paved the path for more success. In China, there are 8 professional teams playing football very actively. The National league comprising 12 teams kicks off between April -June, 1999. The super league comprising 9 teams playing on a home and away basis commencing from August - November, 1999.
China emphasizes on youth development for the continued progress of the game. A National Youth League comprising 24 teams will commence from July and end in November, 1999.
China is expected to be a medal prospect in the 1999 Women's World Cup in U.S.A and the Sydney Olympics in the year 2000.

Presently, Japan ranks third amongst others in Asia and has a systematic development programme. In Japan, there are 8 teams participating in the Semi-professional-League.
The National Youth Championship consists of 12 teams under the age of 18. Majority of the women players are from the Universities and colleges. Women's Football is very popular in the Schools.

Chinese Taipei was the power horse of women's football in Asia from as early as 1977. Chinese Taipei won all three series of the Women's Championship from 1977 to 1981.
Presently, Chinese Taipei is ranked fourth amongst others in Asia. Development programme such as school competitions and U12 youth competitions are in progress in Chinese Taipei.
A women's football league has commenced from April - May, 1999 and between September - December, 1999.

North Korea's most notable recent successes have come in women's football. At the 1997 Asian Women's Championship in Guangzhou, China, North Korea's Women team finished runners up after losing 2 -0 to China in the Final. The result has earned them a place in the 1999 Women's World Cup U.S.A. DPR Korea has an ongoing women's league comprising 30 teams. Despite the present economical situation, the progress and interest in women's football is overwhelming.

The Uzbekistan Women's team's maiden entry was in the lost championship in Guangzhou, China 1997. Since then, they are on course towards building a sound foundation. They have formed a Central Asian Women's Football in the region. A National league comprising 8 teams is ongoing. The Uzbekistan Football Federation will organize the central Asian Women's Championship this year.

Women's football in India is at its infant stage. However, the Indian team has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with after their performances at the I I th Asian Women's Championship in China. Cultural problems are the main factors that is hindering the growth of women's football in India. 8 teams are participating in the National League in 1999. The respective state football Associations are responsible for the progress of Women's Football.

The former British territory hosted the Ist Championship in 1975. As pioneers of women's football in Asia, Hong Kong has not failed to participate in all the 12 series of the Women's Championship. They have a women's league comprising 8 teams. Hong Kong is now introducing a youth scheme to promote women's football at the grassroots.

Women's Football in Thailand became very popular since their National Team won the South East Asian Games Gold Medal in 1995. Their involvement in Women's football is not new as they were the pioneers in the 1975, 1 st Women's Championship in Hong Kong.
Women's Football in the following developing countries is in the right direction towards success. Teams like the Philippines, Nepal, Guam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Korea Rep are slowly but surely progressing in their own way to ensure an orderly growth in the game.

The Asian Football Confederation has consistently initiated various programs for the development of Women Referees. As such, courses and seminars are organized annually to meet the demands of modern day football.
The following Referees and Assistant Referees from Asia were selected by FIFA to officiate at the FIFA Women's World Cup:

1991 - China PR -  Referee :  Ms. Zuo Xiudi China PR
1995 -Sweden -  Assistant Referee :   Ms. Yoshizawa Hisae Japan
1999 - U.S.A -   Referees :   Ms. Zuo Xiudi China PR,   Ms. Em Eun Ju Korea Rep
  Assistant Referees :   Ms. Ri Song OK DPR Korea,  Ms. Yoshizawa Hisae Japan

In Asia we have 9 Women FIFA Referees and 9 FIFA Assistant Referees registered in the FIFA list 1999.

The standard of Asian Women's Football is slowly but surely on the rise. China PR, DPR Korea and Japan's qualification to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in USA, is a clear indication of marked improvement. The future looks very positive for women's football in Asia with the tremendous interest amongst the fans and media. Asia has now signaled its advent as a force in the making on the world scene. We are very confident that women's football in Asia has a great future and the rest of the world is watching closely the progress being made.