The President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC), His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah emphasised the need for increased female representation in sports, including in executive committees in associations and federations.
He shared findings from a BDNOC research, revealing minimal female participation.
He remarked this during a sabda at the 2023 Women in Sports Seminar held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Tuesday.
The International Olympic Council (IOC) guidelines suggest a minimum 30 per cent female representation.
HRH said that 34 per cent female athletes are among 1022 recorded athletes in the country. He highlighted the impact of the Olympic Agenda 2020, focusing on gender equality in sports.
Proposals discussed include quotas for male and female athletes, teams, technical officers, and coaches.
The two-day seminar, themed ‘Towards a gender balance eco-system in Brunei sports,’ centered on encouraging female athlete participation and supporting women in decision-making roles.
The Gender Equity Committee, led by Pengiran Siti Amal Jariah binti Pengiran Haji Matjinen, aims to educate and raise awareness, urging women to contribute to sports development through executive roles.
With 50 participants, including national athletes, committee members, and sports stakeholders, the seminar aligns with the International Olympic Day’s theme, ‘Together, for a peaceful world.’
The committee aspires to foster equal opportunities for women in Brunei sports, supporting male counterparts for overall sports advancement.
