Veronica Chan
Veronica Chan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 September 1922 |
| Died | 31 May 2025 (aged 102) |
| Occupation | Football executive |
| Known for | Co-founder of the Asian Ladies Football Confederation |
| Spouse |
Bertcham Chiu
(m. 1954; died 1998) |
Veronica Chan Yiu-kam MBE (Chinese: 陳瑤琴), or Veronica Chiu, was a Hong Konger football executive known for establishing the Hong Kong Ladies Football Association and the Asian Ladies Football Confederation, the latter which established the tournament which is now known as the AFC Women's Asian Cup
Early life
[edit]Veronica Chan was born in British Hong Kong on 26 September 1922. Chan was into football at a young age preferring to play with her six brothers than her sisters.[1]
Career
[edit]Veronica Chan founded the Hong Kong Ladies Football Association in 1965. Three years, Chan co-founded the Asian Ladies Football Confederation (ALFC).[2] ALFC, However remained dormant until 1974 when it was revived by Chan along with Datin Teoh Chye Hin of Malaysia and Charles Pereira of Singapore.[3]
The Asian Ladies Football Cup, which is now known as the AFC Women's Asian Cup, was then organized in 1975 in Hong Kong.[3] Chan is also credited for Hong Kong's hosting of the Asian Women's Football Championship in 1981, 1986, and 1989.[4] She also oversaw the merger of the Asian Ladies Football Federation with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the 1980s. She was head of the AFC's women's football committee until 2002.[2]
Chan is also involved in men's football, supporting numerous Hong Kong clubs such as Yuen Long, Rangers, Caroline Hill and Sea Bee. She is the first owner to introduce European players to Hong Kong clubs.[2]
Death and legacy
[edit]Chan died on 31 May 2025 at her residence in Tin Shui Wai. The Asian Football Confederation recognize Chan as the "mother of Asian women's football" in 2003.[1][5]
Personal life
[edit]Chan was married to Bertcham Chiu But-york from 1954 until Chiu's death in 1998. Chan has roots to Fujian in mainland China.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Veronica Chan, 'the mother of Asian women's football' dies, aged 102". South China Morning Post. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Women's football pioneer Veronica Chan dies at 102". RTHK. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ a b History of the AFC Women's Asian Cup (PDF) (Print ed.). Asian Football Confederation, International Centre for Sport Studies, FIFA Museum. January 2022. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 January 2022.
- ^ Tong, Elson (6 May 2016). "Women's football in Hong Kong: The long struggle for recognition". Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Dr. Veronica Chan Yiu-kam MBE has been honored AFC Lifetime Achievement Award" (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong Football Association. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.