Veronica Chan, ‘the mother of Asian women's football' dies, aged 102
Known lovingly as the 'mother of Asian women's football', the founding president of the Hong Kong Ladies Football Association (HKLFA) Veronica Chan Yiu-kam has died, aged 102.
Pui Kwan-kay, president of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), said Chan died on Saturday morning at her home in Tin Shui Wai.
In a statement, her family praised her as 'a strong woman who contributed to society and was well respected by others', while the HKFA called her a 'legendary figure' in local football, and a 'pioneer and guardian' of the women's game in Asia.
Born in Hong Kong on September 26, 1922, Chan had long been a prominent figure in football, having held the post as vice-president of the HKFA for many years.
Her dedication to the beautiful game had its roots in an infancy, when Chan was bitten by the bug.
'When I was a kid I always played with my six brothers – never with my sisters,' she told the Post in 2003. 'I loved football. I didn't like dolls.'
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