DAP’s Yi Wei becomes 1st woman to lead Selangor Rugby Union

 

Selangor assembly member Lim Yi Wei played rugby at university and suffered ligament injuries as well as a broken cheekbone. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Kampung Tunku assembly member Lim Yi Wei has made history by becoming the first woman to lead the Selangor Rugby Union since its establishment over 100 years ago.

Lim, 34, won the post uncontested at the SRU annual meeting today. She was nominated by the Cobra Rugby Club. Lim, who is with DAP, later told reporters that she did not run for the post to become popular or to hold a position in a sports organisation, but because she was genuinely passionate about the sport.

She played rugby while studying at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and suffered ligament injuries as well as a broken cheekbone.

“I feel quite nervous (about becoming president), but I take it as a good thing. This can serve as an example to other women involved in sports, not just as athletes but also as administrators.

“The main goal is to restore Selangor as a rugby powerhouse. For that, more development and exposure activities will be organised at all levels by working closely with clubs, affiliates and schools to improve the talent pipeline,” she said.

Lim added that she has been actively involved in the rugby union, women’s rugby development and women’s sports since becoming a state assembly member in 2018.

She said her immediate focus is to prepare the Selangor team for the Agong’s Cup and organise the Selangor Rugby Union League.

Selangor won the Agong’s Cup six times (between 1984 and 2006) but have not won the title since 2007.

The Selangor Rugby Union leadership for the 2024-2026 term – president: Lim Yi Wei; deputy president: A Prakash; vice-presidents: Aldillan Anuar and Hafiz Zaki; secretary: Tan Thiam Jin; assistant secretary: Azri Mardi; treasurer: Emran Ibrahim; committee members: Shahizam Tukiran, Faiz Samsukhidir, Sean Pereira, and Siddiq Amir Jalil. - FMT