ISF Hosts HKFC Crusaders Team During First Overseas Tour
For the second year running, the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) Junior teams travelled to Cambodia to compete against local teams supported through the ISF Football Programme. The competition, which was held at the Cambodian Mekong University pitch in Phnom Penh, consisted of a total of 24 teams: half in an U10 division and half in an U12 division. This competition was the main event on Sunday 9th June, but the highlight of the day was a game organised for players with intellectual disabilities. The HKFC Crusaders team, which is made up of special needs players, made its first overseas tour and ISF was delighted to host them for this historic event.
ISF Pilots Football Programme for Players with Intellectual Disabilities
But a tour would not be possible without teams to compete against! In March 2013, ISF piloted games with players with intellectual disabilities and the response was so overwhelming that we have committed to provide more regular training and games for these players. The players are part of programmes at local NGOs. Four NGOs were represented on Sunday and over 50 players including eight members of the HKFC Crusaders team participated.
Following some fun, interactive warm-up games and a training session, the teams went head to head. The delight at participating was evident not just among the players but also among their supporters, who invaded the pitch to high-five the players each time a goal was scored! After three hours in the intense Cambodian heat, the players reluctantly agreed they had had enough for one day. The HKFC Crusaders team also had a flight to catch, so the competition was wound up.
HKFC Crusaders Team Coach Shares Expertise
This event was made possible by Nigel Merritt, who has coached the HKFC Crusaders team in Hong Kong for ten years. He shared his expertise with the ISF coaches and plans to come back to Cambodia in the coming months for further coaching sessions. Yin Samedy, ISF’s Football Programme Manager, said:
“We were very excited to have this expertise to learn from. We want to do more to include players with intellectual disabilities in our programmes and this learning experience will make that possible.”
