Cambodian children’s charity Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF) recently welcomed 78 junior soccer players from the internationally renowned Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) to complete in the 8^th consecutive annual tournament co-hosted between the two organisations on 2 June 2019.

The ISF-HKFC Junior Soccer Section Tour, supported by insurance giant AIA, brought together two very diverse groups of children, from different socio and economic backgrounds, demonstrating the power of football to go beyond borders, nationalities and languages: to unite countries as equals on the field. The competition also demonstrated why sport is a powerful agent of peace, and encouraged players to embrace rivalries while also treating each other with respect.

“I believe that football is a powerful vehicle for social change not just because of its ability to unify people but also because of its potential to teach important life skills” says Vicheka Chourp, ISF’s country manager. Promoting peace and development through sport is central to ISF’s award-winning grassroots Football Programme. ISF works with children and young people marginalised by extreme poverty, using football as the medium for teaching valuable life skills, encouraging them to make healthy and informed life choices and work together in unity.

ISF’s Football Programme is one of the largest grassroots community-based football programmes in Cambodia and for the past two years has partnered with AIA (Cambodia) Life Insurance Plc (“AIA Cambodia”) to deliver the annual AIA-ISF Youth League which includes almost 1,500 young players. “AIA Cambodia is an immensely resourceful organisation and firmly committed to community and healthy living which has enabled us to not only offer Cambodian kids opportunities to engage in healthier life choices through participation in our league but also to enhance its quality” said Chourp, speaking of the partnership. “On behalf of everyone at ISF and our young players, we thank AIA and HKFC for their continuous and multifaceted support in using sport to create positive social change in Asia”.

HKFC, a private members sports club dedicated to being one of the finest sporting clubs in Asia, has been a long-term supporter of ISF and grassroots community-based football in Cambodia. This year, the club saw 170 of its members travel to Phnom Penh, including supporters, players and coaches for the U10, U12 & U14 boys and girls teams which will compete on ISF’s home turf. For some of the children traveling from Hong Kong, this annual tournament will be their first experience visiting a developing country and demonstrates the power of sport to foster social integration.

ISF has been championing community-based grassroots football since their founding in 2006 and currently reaches 5,000 underprivileged children through training, tournaments, leagues and festivals. The ISF-HKFC Football Tournament saw 93 matches take place over the course of a single day between 36 teams, all aged between 10 and 14 years old. The competition is sure to be a day to be treasured by all participants as it brought supporters and players together, showcasing how football is a community like no other.

Congratulations to the winning teams:

U10 Boys:
Shield Winner – Cherng Kep School
Bowl Winner – Ponheapun School
Plate Winner – Samrong School
Cup Winner – HKFC U10

U12 Girls:
Plate Winner – HKFC U10G
Cup Winner – HKFC U12G

U12 Boys:
Shield Winner – Puon Phnom School
Bowl Winner – Rolous School
Plate Winner – HKFC U12 White
Cup Winner – HKFC U12 Blue

U14 Girls:
Plate Winner – ISF SMC
Cup Winner – Cheoung Kerp School

U14 Boys:
Plate Winner – Prey Sor School
Cup Winner – ISF SMC

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