Thanks for the memories

Two of PPCFC’s longest-serving players have recently parted company with the club. Bin Thierry, who joined the club in October 2012, and Leng Makara, who arrived at RSN in December 2011. Both players were an important part of our Championship-winning teams in 2014 and 2015 and both went onto deservedly represent the Cambodia national team during their time at the club. We would like to record our thanks and appreciation to both players for their service to PPCFC and wish them continued personal success in the future.

PPCFC and SALT Academy officially joined forces with NGO World Vision and sponsors Smart to kick-start the One Goal Pilot Programme, at a media conference yesterday (pictured above). The project fits into Smart's mandate to support education, environment and community sports and will allow World Vision to make a positive impact on youngsters in three provinces over the next year: Preah Vihear, Battambang and Takeo. One Goal will focus on children in those provinces receiving life skills and football coaching from coaches trained by PPCFC and SALT, who provide the technical expertise. Youngsters will train and play regular matches and enjoy a tournament at PPCFC later next year. Sam Schweingruber was at the official signing yesterday and has already started coaching the World Vision coaches to make this project a success.

World Vision mini-tournament

The World Vision mini-football tournament held at RSN Stadium yesterday was a great success. A big thank you to all the World Vision youngsters that came from many provinces to join in the event, and thanks to the PPCFC 1st-Team for joining in the fun with such enthusiasm. There was much to celebrate, as you can see from this photo.
Teenagers from World Vision projects around the country came to RSN Stadium for a 5-a-side mini-tournament and enjoyed a competition that included all of the PPCFC 1st-Team playing squad. The friendly competition was part of the One Goal campaign to focus on improving child nutrition and adopting healthy lifestyles. With teams representing Takeo, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kompong Chhnang, Phnom Penh, Kompong Thom and Battambang, it was Takeo who triumphed, with Shane Booysen and Lous Charly as their 1st-Team players, beating Kompong Thom in the final. Congratulations to the winners and a big thanks to everyone who took part, including the fans from Kompong Thom who supported their team so vocally.

Football for Development

40 coaches on the latest course from PPCFC, SALT & World Vision

Phnom Penh Crown and SALT Academy have once again teamed up with World Vision Cambodia (WVC), this time to host a 5-day Football for Development Initiative Level 1 Youth Coaching Course at RSN Stadium, that began on Monday morning. 40 young football coaches from around the country will receive technical skills and life skills training over five days with the program vision of developing, nurturing and strengthening young people and the next generation of leaders across Cambodia. Crown have already partnered World Vision to produce 2 videos on combating child malnutrition and joined in the WVC national youth festival, as part of a joint program with AFC and Asian Football Development Project for the One Goal campaign to improve child nutrition and adopt healthy lifestyles. The Football for Development Initiative is an important pathway to improve young people in Cambodia and PPCFC is 100% behind this exciting new initiative, with club President Rithy Samnang at today's launch alongwith World Vision's National Director Jason Evans.

At the World Vision festival

The PPCFC contingent at Koh Pich

Phnom Penh Crown turned out in force this afternoon at Koh Pich for the World Vision Cambodia Youth Festival, in front of 3,000 youngsters. Club President Rithy Samnang spoke on the stage, as did Khim Borey, Kouch Sokumpheak, Odion Obadin and Sam Schweingruber amongst others, in support of the Child Health Now campaign and their aim to reduce malnutrition in Cambodia. A Crown team played a World Vision team at five-a-side football, both men and women and had a lot of fun, cheered on by the noisy audience. The club have also made two videos with World Vision, spreading the awareness of the child malnutrition problem in Cambodia, and promoting the advantages of a healthy lifestyle.

The two teams that played the men's football exhibition match

The PPCFC men and girls on stage at Koh Pich

Let's fight child malnutrition

Good to see my team, Phnom Penh Crown, getting stuck into supporting important social issues such as child malnutrition. Up to 40% of Cambodian children under the age of five are suffering from a lack of proper food and healthy nutrition. World Vision's Child Health Now campaign is addressing this vital issue in Cambodia and we support it 100%. We hope you will too. Here's the video we made recently with World Vision in support of their campaign.