ISF Football Programme’s expansion changes lives in Cambodia’s provinces

Central to ISF’s belief is the power of sport in alleviating poverty. Equitable participation empowers genders, removes lines of inequality, and teaches valuable life skills such as sportsmanship, teamwork, and communication. However, in Cambodia, opportunities to play sports are rare – especially for youth marginalised by poverty and gender.

In partnership with AIA Cambodia, ISF runs AIA – ISF Youth League, Cambodia’s largest grassroots football league. Previously hosted at ISF Sports Ground in Phnom Penh, ISF’s team noticed athletes were travelling up to eight hours each way to participate. Committed to inclusion, ISF and AIA Cambodia expanded their reach in 2022, offering five league fixtures in four provinces: Phnom Penh, Kampot, Siem Reap, and Kampong Speu.

15-year old Leakhena* is an attacker on Chum Kriel Secondary Schools’ U14 girls’ team. Based in Kampot, she’s excited for the opportunity to play competitive sports in her home province. When ISF’s Football Programme partnered with her school, they invited her physical education teacher to form a U14 girls’ team, and Leakhena was eager to accept a spot.

Chum Kriel Secondary School girls’ team meets weekly on Saturdays and Sundays, practising basic football techniques and integrating social skills like discipline, patience, and determination into their routine. Unlike her education in the classroom, Leakhena notes: “[Participating in football] has helped me increase stamina, improve muscle strength, develop confidence, increase self-esteem, and reduce anxiety.”

Alongside the physical and mental benefits, she also credits her participation in sports to developing a supportive group of friends. Practising with other like-minded girls, Leakhena explains she’s become a part of a community that empowers one another and promotes gender equality. By attending ISF’s tournaments and leagues, she’s joined a nationwide network of supportive female athletes.

Aspiring to become a policewoman or a small business owner, Leakhena explains: “I’ve found my strength through football.” As ISF’s Football Programme expands its reach into the provinces, the team is committed to providing life-changing resources, support, and opportunities for youth athletes like Leakhena, who demonstrates the incredible power of sport.