The D2D Sports Mixed Fives league challenges gender norms with rules that count women’s goals as double, sparking debate about equality and accommodation in sports.
The D2D Sports Mixed Fives league in Singapore has brought a fresh twist to the world of futsal with its co-ed format and a set of unique rules that have garnered both praise and criticism. In a match at Kick Off! in Kovan, women players are at the center of the action, but with a twist: each goal scored by a woman counts twice. This rule, alongside others designed to promote female participation, has sparked controversy, raising questions about equality and whether such accommodations are necessary or even fair.
The league, which began on October 26th, is the first of its kind in Singapore, where teams compete in weekly five-a-side futsal matches. The rules mandate that each team must have at least one woman on the field at all times. If a woman scores, her goal is worth double, and if a woman is fouled by a direct free-kick, a penalty is awarded. These rules aim to address safety concerns and promote female involvement, but they have been divisive, with critics calling them sexist and others defending them as necessary for equity.
Rasvinder Bhullar, executive director of D2D Sports, admits that while the rules may seem controversial, they were introduced to ensure that women felt safe and encouraged to participate in a competitive environment. Many female players, he notes, have expressed concerns about playing against larger, more aggressive male opponents. To some, the added incentive for female players, such as double goals, is seen as a necessary measure to ensure they remain central to the game. He also acknowledges that these rules may need to be revisited in future seasons based on feedback from players.
While the intention behind the rules is to create a more level playing field, they have ignited a debate about what equality in sports truly means. Grace Ke, a recreational football player, argues that the rules perpetuate the idea that women are weaker and need special treatment. She believes that true equality in sports would mean applying the same rules to all players, regardless of gender.
On the field, however, the women in the league are not waiting for special rules to give them an advantage. Teams like Futsal Kakis, which has a majority female roster, have been performing exceptionally well, often using the double goal rule to their benefit. Their captain, Izyan Syazwan, sees it as a strategic advantage, while players like Cherly Kwan appreciate the incentive it provides. For them, the rules help boost female participation and encourage women to take a more active role in the game.
Yet, despite the mixed reactions, the league is seeing positive results in terms of female involvement. The gender dynamics on the field are shifting, and women like Nur Syazlin, who plays for PSG FC, are embracing the opportunity to compete in a co-ed environment. Though the rules might seem unconventional, they have sparked a necessary conversation about gender equity in sports, with both male and female players navigating a system that challenges traditional ideas about competition and fairness.
In the end, the Mixed Fives league highlights the complexity of balancing equity and equality in sports. While some players see the rules as a step backward, others view them as a way to level the playing field and ensure that women’s contributions are recognized. As the league continues, it will likely evolve based on the experiences of its players, but for now, it stands as an experiment in changing the rules of the game to make it more inclusive for all participants.
