From early morning on the 4^th March 2017, the ISF Sports Ground in Phnom Penh was buzzing with young Cambodian players ready to show their skills at the 10^th ISF U14 and U10 Boys Football Tournament sponsored by the Ian Thompson Memorial. Almost 500 players divided in 41 teams representing local government schools, community groups and NGOs from nine Cambodian provinces took part in the event. So scarce are sporting opportunities for young Cambodians that some teams even travelled up to seven  hours each way to compete in the tournament.

This year the ISF Boys Tournament started with the opening ceremony of our brand new all-weather pitch awarded to ISF by Connor Sport Court in 2014. This will enable more players with disabilities (including those in wheelchairs) to join the programme.

The teams participating in the tournament were split into six groups and, despite the heat, the players gave it their all to reach the finals. Puon Phnom Thistle and the ISF Teddy Bears emerged as the strongest teams in the U14 division, while Ta Ream School KPT and Green Umbrella dominated the U10 division. At the finals, Puon Phnom Thistle beat the ISF Teddy Bears 2 -1 and Ta Ream School KPT defeated Green Umbrella 1-0.

For the first time ever, games and activities for blind and visually impaired players were held alongside the tournament. ISF currently provides football services to players who are deaf, hearing impaired or have intellectual disabilities, but from 2017, ISF aims to expand to offer football opportunities to blind and visually impaired players and wheelchair users. The activities held during the 2017 Ian Thompson Memorial/ISF Boys’ Football Tournament exemplified the spirit of sport for development and promoted and developed the use of football as a tool for broadening the inclusion of players of all abilities.

At the end of the day, Puon Phnom Thistle and Ta Ream School KPT collected their medals and trophies and were crowned winners of the 2017 Ian Thompson Memorial / ISF Boys’ Football Tournament. You can read the full results here.

It was a thrilling day at the ISF Sports Ground and a great success for the ISF Football Programme. Vicheka Chourp, ISF Country Manager, explained: “Over the past ten years, the ISF Boys Tournament has grown from year to year to what it has become today –which is a thoroughly special and entertaining event. We aim to provide a day of sporting fun and learning for these children and inspire them to pursue their sporting dreams. The pride and excitement of being part of these competitions is an unforgettable and inspirational experience for players and spectators alike”.

A special thank you goes to the Ian Thompson Memorial who generously sponsored the event, helping us provide young vulnerable Cambodians with competitive football opportunities.