Around 400 players battled it out during the Ian Thompson Memorial – ISF Football Tournament this Saturday, 21 March. Thanks to the continued support from the Ian Thompson Memorial this year’s tournament was bigger than ever, with 23 teams competing for the Under 13s Boys Cup, while 10 teams tried for the Under 10s Mixed Cup. They travelled from provinces across Cambodia, including Kampot, Battambong, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.

The baking heat didn’t slow down the tempo of play, with a rapid succession of 15 minute round robin games played with energy and flair. The teams were cheered on by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters from ISF’s Stung Meanchey and Chbar Ampov schools, and supporters who had travelled from Asia, Europe, Australia and America to share the excitement and spur the teams on.

ISF’s Country Manager, Chourp Vicheka said, “We know that football makes a huge difference to these young people in terms of health, self-confidence and developing social skills and teamwork. But a day like today reminds us that it’s just great fun too.”

ISF’s 4 school teams – the ISF Teddy Bears (U13) the Flying Dragons (U13 and U10), the Flying Tigers (U10) – played well, but didn’t quite make it to the finals, which saw Phnom Penh’s Seasiders (from Po Mankol School) battle Covehead Gunners (from Puon Phnom School) for the U10 Cup. The Seasiders finally won out narrowly in a tense penalty shootout.

The U13 Cup was fought over by two outstanding teams: Sihanoukville’s M’lop Tapang and Phnom Penh’s Juice Master United, who also came from Po Mankol School. M’lop Tapang won 1-0 in a hotly contested game which looked uncertain until the final whistle.

“It was a great day,” grinned Chath, one of the ISF Teddy Bears team, whose story is told in more detail below. “We didn’t get to the finals, but we played our best and we had a lot of fun. It’s just good to be with your friends, working together. It was something I really looked forward to.” For children like Chath, football can help provide the skills, confidence, discipline and health that will help them achieve their other goals in life. For Chath, that means helping him achieve his long term ambition to become a doctor.

Thank you to everyone who took part and made it so memorable and special thanks to the Ian Thompson Memorial for their sponsorship of the event, without which the day would not be so successful for all involved. Also thanks to all the sponsors who travelled so far to support their team.

A boy’s story

Chath’s first clear memory of football is being a young child and trying to kick a ball but kicking a wall instead. “I broke my toe and there was lots of blood,” he remembers, with a small smile. Luckily, Chath is made of tough material and wasn’t put off football forever. He is now one of the best players who has emerged through the ISF Football Programme and showed off his skills as part of the ISF Teddy Bears team at Saturday’s tournament.

The future didn’t always look so bright for Chath. “When I was 7 my family lived in a province far away. Life was difficult and I didn’t go to school at all. I didn’t have any study materials, and didn’t play football properly, just me and some friends kicking a ball.”

In 2010, Chath’s family moved to Phnom Penh, to live in crowded rented accommodation, where his father now works as a moto taxi driver and his mother works in a factory. Chath, along with his older sister and brother, were accepted to study at ISF and its football programme soon caught Chath’s eye.

5 years later and Chath is now studying hard at state school while becoming ever better known as a player. He says the main reason he likes football is because it helps him to relax from the stresses of his life and it is great fun, but he has also learnt a lot about how to work hard in training and about the importance of teamwork. “You have to be a team. We need each other if we want to succeed.”