KUALA LUMPUR: The Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup (TSRC), Malaysia's premier football competition for women, is becoming a joke.
Former players hope the FA of Malaysia (FAM) will introduce a women's national league soon.
The TSRC returned this season after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, but it is still a carnival tournament with the final set on Sunday.
The ongoing tournament has become a joke, with some matches ending with double-digit scores.
Former internationals Normala Abdul Rashid and Rachel Gomez hope to see changes soon.
Normala, president of the Malaysian Women Footballers Association (MWFA), said it is time to introduce a season-long league for female players in the country.
"We should have a women's league to compliment the TSRC, which is as prestigious as the Malaysia Cup.
"State FAs should take women's football seriously and develop players," said Normala.
"Top teams with national players are embarrassing other clubs in the tournament.
"We cannot pit national players against amateurs and youth players. It is unfair and affects the development of the game.
"The country needs a league with two divisions. Malaysia has many female players. I believe we can produce more quality players if things are planned properly.
Former national striker Rachel said: "The TSRC is in its 46th edition, but many state FAs do not take the tournament seriously.
"Instead of developing new players, some teams prefer to hire national players for short-term success.
"And when they do not have funds, these players will join other teams," said Rachel, who led Malaysia to the bronze medal at the 1983 AFC Women's Championship.
"When I was active, the TSRC was prestigious, and matches were exciting. However, now we see ridiculous scores.
"The country has many female players who need proper programmes to take their game to the next level."