Monday, November 15, 2010

Stars of the future

One of the 22, Theam Chhaya comes from Sihanoukville
Phnom Penh Crown certainly hope that the 22 youngsters they have selected for the first draft of their Elite Football Academy will become footballing stars of the future. There's no guarantee that just because they are amongst the most talented boys at under-13 level from across the country, that they will become the next Wayne Rooney of Cambodian football. But Crown's team of Academy coaches will be doing their best to instill the skills, techniques and desire required to enable the boys to give it their best shot. The Academy will begin in January when the boys converge on Crown's training headquarters at Tuol Kork from their homes all around the country to start their two-year residential programme, designed to enhance their footballing talent as well as providing them with a high standard of education. It was made clear to the youngsters when the 22 were revealed late on Sunday afternoon, that both elements of the programme are as important as each other. So who are the names we must look out for in the future? Here's the list of the 22 players who've been picked to join the 1st residential Academy in Cambodia's fledgling youth development programme:
Pheurn Sopkeak, Orn Chanpolin, Pov Bunvuthy. En Sodavid, Chheng Pisal (all Phnom Penh), Yue Muslim, Res Slaiman (Prek Kdam), Pech Sovanarath (Kompong Chhnang), Men Piphob, Ok Sovanna (Pursat), Nak Samnang, Ratha Phearon, Soun Neout (Battambang), Saveng Samnang (Banteay Meanchey), Kdey Barang (Siem Reap), Nob Devid (Kandal), Ken Chansopheak (Takeo), Theam Chhaya, Choun Chanchay (Sihanoukville), Kim Chhaya, Mat Saravy (Koh Kong), Srang Titchhy (Stung Treng).
This is Kdey Barang, the only successful trialist from Siem Reap
One of five boys from Phnom Penh to make it through, this is En Sodavid
Ok Sovanna hails from Pursat Province and made the final 22
Academy head coach Bouy Dary alongwith former national team boss Scott O'Donell (wearing cap) instructs the trialistsDetermination is etched on the faces of the youngsters on trial
AFC coach and analyst and former Chelsea manager Ken Shellito (left) talks to FFC Vice President Khiev Sameth

1 comment:

Andy Brouwer said...

Great to see that The Cambodia Daily devoted half a page to the PPCFC Elite Football Academy in their Monday edition (page 32). Reporter Andrew Burmon came out to the trials on Sunday and did a nice piece, considering the Daily very rarely covers any sports including football. It shared top billing with a brief story on Sambo the elephant's ban from Wat Phnom. Was that on the Daily's sports page I wonder...