Pedro Malabia: "LaLiga & Iberdrola have been the main driving forces behind the rise of the women's game in Spain"

Pedro Malabia, the head of women's football at LaLiga, took centre stage on the second day of the Foro Eventos Deportivos (Sporting Events Forum), which isorganised by daily newspaper AS and held at the Spanish Olympic Committee headquarters. Malabia delivered a talk on the constant developments being seen in the Liga Iberdrola, whilst also reflecting on the current state of the division. Taking their places alongside Malabia on the panel were Luis Gomez, the brand and corporate reputation director at Iberdrola; Lola Romero, the president of Atletico Madrid Women; and Ana Rossell, the chief executive at AR10.

During his address – which marked his first involvement at the event – Malabia offered his analysis of LaLiga's unwavering commitment to the development of the women's game in Spain over the course of the past year: "We have to keep working hard day in, day out, but what we've achieved to date is very significant. From LaLiga's perspective, Javier Tebas was convinced that the women's game in Spain was in need of a boost and some help and that's exactly what we're doing. Women's football now enjoys excellent coverage within LaLiga's structure, featuring on its website, social media channels and so on. This coverage serves to make ladies' football accessible to all supporters. Moreover, the progress is not just limited to this improved visibility; indeed, all of the players now have professional contracts and there's good organisation behind it all, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago." Malabia went on to thank Iberdrola for their investment, which is playing an important role in the quest to achieve gender equality within sport: "Iberdrola have placed their faith in the growth of the women's game, and, alongside LaLiga, they're the driving force behind the rise of women's football in Spain."

For his part, Iberdrola director Gomez outlined why the company had decided to throw their weight behind the female game. "We were already sponsoring the Spanish national team and we felt compelled to step up for the women's league. Women are just as good at football as men and we had to do our bit to showcase that. That's something we're gradually achieving," he explained. He also voiced his gratitude to LaLiga for its coverage of women's football and to the television networks that air the league every week. "It's very important to put women's football on a par with the men's game in terms of its reach among fans. Now matches can be watched on beIN LaLiga and GOL, as well as on regional channels. The steady progress is fantastic to see," he concluded.

Atletico Madrid Women president Romero highlighted the foundations that are now in place. "Now we have a strong support base from LaLiga and Iberdrola. Their backing is a big help for all of us working in the world of women's football. We have already taken strides towards professionalisation with the contracts that have been given to the players and the structures set up at every club. Now we need to keep growing," she remarked.

Malabia rounded off his address by sounding an upbeat note about the future. "We are creating value and in a few years' time, the Liga Iberdrola will be even bigger and more visible. This is a marathon: we're only a kilometre in and we've got 41 to go, but we know we're going to make it thanks to LaLiga and Iberdrola," said LaLiga's head of women's football.