Although ISF Cambodia predominantly works with children, our mission and work are inclusive of all disadvantaged members of our community. 32-year old Chap Tu has been a participant in our All-Abilities Football Project since 2019. Initially involved with Samakom Dontrey Somneang Chon Pikar, he discovered ISF Cambodia and its programmes through our ongoing partnership with the arts organisation. 

Samakom Dontrey Somneang Chon Pikar is an organisation that provides music-based vocational training to the visually impaired. Alongside offering shelter and nutritional support, Samakom Dontrey Somneang Chon Pikar prioritizes the health and wellbeing of their community. Each week, they rent a football pitch and organise training with an ISF coach, which in turn, opens the door for affiliated, disabled athletes to participate in tournaments across the country. 

Samakom Dontrey Somnean Chon Pikar is one of the many organisations ISF’s All-Abilities Football Project supports. Each week, our coaches travel to a handful of organisations to provide sporting opportunities to the visually and hearing impaired, wheelchair-bound, or intellectually disabled players. 

Tu embodies the phrase “living life to the fullest.” Alongside pursuing his university’s bachelor degree in Business Management, he’s an advocate for more athletic opportunities for Cambodia’s disabled community. As a beneficiary, Tu is in a unique position to advocate for and share his knowledge of our programme.

He explains that he’s not only healthier and more active, but the benefits of participating in the programme extend beyond physicality. Before his participation, he noted that he was very shy and often got sick. Now, he’s healthier and more confident, both in front of others and when solving problems. 

Playing on a football team isn’t always easy. He sometimes faces additional challenges with communication or controlling and passing the ball, but Tu doesn’t let those barriers, or any others, derail his goals. After COVID-19 restrictions ease, he advocates for longer training sessions so that he and his team can continue to overcome challenges and show Cambodia that there are opportunities for disabled athletes to participate in team sports.