Women's football pioneer Veronica Chan dies at 102
The city's football association has described Veronica Chan's passing as an "unspeakable loss". Photo courtesy of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China
Prominent women's football advocate Veronica Chan has died at the age of 102, following decades of contributions to the sport in the SAR and Asia.
Dubbed the "mother of Asian women's football", Chan founded the Hong Kong Ladies Football Association in 1965 and was in at ground level when the Asian Ladies Football Confederation was formed three years later.
She oversaw the regional body's merger with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the 1980s, and was the chairperson of the confederation's women's committee until 2002.
Chan also backed a number of football clubs in the city, including Yuen Long, Rangers, Caroline Hill and Sea Bee, and was the first owner to introduce foreign players from Europe to Hong Kong.
In 2024, she was awarded the AFC Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to football in Asia, especially in the women's game.
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, where Chan served many years at, said in a statement that her passing was an "unspeakable loss".
"Chan is a legendary figure in Hong Kong football, and a pioneer and guardian of women's football in Asia," the association said on Saturday evening.
"Her efforts not only changed Hong Kong, but also had a profound impact on the whole of Asia."
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