Women take to rugby 15s in S'gor
(From third left) Lim and Mohamad Nizam with sponsors including Menteri Besar Incorporated represented by Ahmad Azri (second from left). — KK SHAM/The Star
Five women's teams have shone in their own division in MSNS-KRS League 2025, signalling another step forward for women's participation in rugby at state level.
The addition of the women's division was driven by increasing interest among female players and a need to expand the 15-a-side platform beyond the widely supported Rugby 7s format, said Selangor Rugby Union (KRS) president Lim Yi Wei.
'This league has become a consistent platform for players from club affiliates to test their skills in a competitive setting.
'If they only train and play within their clubs, they miss out on real match experience.
'We're introducing the women's 15s category because we see more players who want to be actively involved,' Lim said as she and Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS) executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi announced the tournament.
MSNS-KRS League 2025 is hosting preliminary matches at Padang Astaka in Petaling Jaya until July 5, while the final rounds will take place at Stadium Sultan Suleiman Klang on July 12 and 13.
In the new division, Cobra Venom are league leaders after five weeks of play, followed by Malaysia Armed Forces women, Sarawak Rugby Union women, KL Tigers RFC women and Barbarian Warriors.
Lim, who is also Kampung Tunku assemblyman, said the MSNS-KRS League also served as a talent scouting ground ahead of Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026, where Selangor is hoping to make a huge impact.
'This league will be used for talent identification and player evaluation for the Agong Cup and also for potential Sukma players next year.
'The pressure is on, especially for Selangor's women's team, who won gold at Sukma in Sarawak last year,' she added.
Lim said the league would also allow organisers to assess player readiness and form a stronger state squad with a clear goal to improve Selangor's standings in national tournaments.
'Last year we made it to the Agong Cup semifinals, something Selangor had not achieved since 2006.
'This league allows us to expand our selection pool and strengthen the team.'
She also called for increased funding and support from both Federal and state governments, pointing out that many sports associations struggled to raise funds independently.
'There is only so much that sports associations can do to raise funds.
'We need more support from the government, especially for infrastructure and development planning,' she said
On player performance, she noted that technical ability was strong, but many lacked the killer instinct.
'The teamwork is there, but when the chance to score comes, hesitation gets in the way,' she said, adding that players had to be trained to be more confident in making decisions in crucial situations.
MSNS-KRS League 2025 also features six teams in Men's Division 1 and four in Men's Division 2. — By AYUNA SHAMELIN
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