FFC shows commitment to national football

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
FFC President Sao Sokha gives a speech during their annual congress meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel Thursday morning.

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
A computer generated image shows the FFC’s design for it’s US$1.2 million National Football Centre, including four pitches, water reservoirs, dormitories and restaurant.

The Phnom Penh Post
Friday, 28 August 2009
Khouth Sophakchakrya

New $1.2 million National Football Centre in Takeo to have four pitches, dormitories and 500 parking spaces

THE Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) unveiled its plans for the new National Football Center (NFC) on 15 hectares of purchased land in Takeo province during its annual congress meeting at the Hotel InterContinental on Thursday morning.

"Currently, our old NFC is too small and flooded in the rainy season," stated FFC President Sao Sokha, adding that national team players need large, modern facilities to give them the best chance of competing strongly in international competitions.

Sao Sokha, who is also commander of the Military Police, said the new centre, located between the Phnom Tamao National Zoo and the Tonle Bati Resort, will encourage footballers to improve their training regimes.

The president also revealed the grounds design accommodating four football pitches - one for competitions, and three for training - parking space for 500 cars, large reservoirs for supplying irrigation, and two dormitories - one for visiting players and teams, and one for selected national team players.

"We plan to spend about US$1.2 million [in total] for the construction of the new NFC," said Sao Sokha, following the purchase of the land for $200,000 from private funds organised by the president. "We also plan to sell the old NFC in Phnom Penh, to generate funds for the new NFC in Takeo," he added.

Sao Sokha also thanked the kind donations from unnamed sources of 200,000 litres of gasoline and machinery used to level the land and develop its infrastructure.

Thong Khon, president of National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, said he was impressed at the rapidness of the FFC's improvement of football in the Kingdom, but noted that a lot still needs to be done before Cambodia could become a top contender in the region.

Election outcomes
The conference also announced the results of elections for the next term of the FFC executive committee. General Sao Sokha was unopposed in voting to retain his presidency, while Vice President Khek Ravy lost his position to Military Police Chief of Cabinet Khiev Sameth. Eight new members were also chosen to join the executive committee, including one each from Svay Rieng, Prey Veng and Pursat provinces, and Kirivong Sok Sen Chey manager Lay La.