Thirty-Two Football Teams to Attend Hun Sen Cup

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (24 December 2010)

Thirty-Two football team will attend 5^th Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen Cup, which will be held on January 7 to March 12 to challenge each other before go to league.

The purpose of tournament is to serve techniques work in football in selecting best players to join league then go to compete on international stage. One another purpose is to active social foundation to develop country and prevent inactivity which creates bad problems in society. It also serves healthy purpose for every football player.

Mr. Ork Sethcheat, Secretary General of Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC), said that among 32 football teams across the country will participate in this tournament and the tournament divided into four centers: Battambang center, Kampongthom center, Prey Veng center, and Takeo center. In one center has two groups and in one group has four teams. Number one and number two from center will go to challenge at Phnom Penh for 1/8 final round.

According to 5^th Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen Cup list, Prek Pra Keila, Kon Rithysen, Banteaymeanchey and Mekong Cambodia University are in group A, and Build Bright United, Battambang, Udormeanchey and Pailin are in group B, which Battambang is host group and play in Battambang center. Preah Khanreach, Preah Vihear, Chilamsamoth and Kratie are in group C and Phnom Crown, KG.Thom, Baksey Chamkroung Siemreap and Neakkhiev KG Cham are in group D, which KG. Thom is host group and play in Kampongthom center. Chhmakhmao Svayrieng, Western University, Stung Treng and Kandal are in group E, and National Defense, Prey Veng, National Police and Life University are in group F, which Prey Veng is host group and play in Prey Veng Center. In Takeo center, NAGA Corp, Takeo, Kep and Kampong Peak Preak sihaknok are in group G, and KCL.Kiribongsoksengchey, KG Speu, Kampot and Koh Kong are in group H, which Takeo is host group.

“The prizes of this year are the same as last year, which are 80 million riel with gold medal for number one, 40 million riel with silver medal for number two, and 20 million riel with bronze medal for number three. We also have another award for individual player in tournament such as fair play, best player and best ball award to encourage all players”, he remarked.

He explained that to run this competition successfully, the Football Federation of Cambodia prepare four million riel as package to support host group to run their center and the preparation in the tournament. The federation also provides 500,000 riel more for every tournament to football teams when compete. This amount of money is not enough for them during competition, they need to have another amount of money to support the team, he explained.

This competition is not serving national tournament purpose, but also for international tournament. “After this matching, we will send best teams to challenge in league then bring them to match on international stage”, he said, adding that this year, Cambodian national team will have a Challenge Cup with Macau on February 9^th in Cambodia then they will go to continue challenge with Macau on February 16^th in Macau.

Recently, FFC try to set up football academic to develop football in Cambodia by selecting children to study in football academic. Those children can train football and study general knowledge in the same time. Moreover, federations try to send coach across province to promote the quality and quantity of football players across the country.

By S.L (Vol.4, Issue 52, SEAW)