PM awards gold medal to CNVLD founder

Prime Minister Hun Sen presents CNVLD founder Chris Minko with a gold medal Thursday. CNVLD

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Friday, 04 December 2009 15:00 Dan Riley

CAMBODIAN National Volleyball League Disabled (CNVLD) General Secretary Chris Minko was presented with a Gold Medal by Prime Minister Hun Sen for Services to Persons with a Disability in Cambodia at a ceremony to celebrate United Nations International Disability Day at the National Education and Cultural Institute Thursday.

Australian-born Minko was decorated for his outstanding provision of sporting, rehabilitation and socio-economic opportunity to the Persons with a Disability (PWD) of Cambodia since 1996, in particular amputee land mine survivors.

The CNVLD was registered as a Cambodian NGO in 2003 and has since been at the forefront of assisting the government in combating discrimination of disabled people through a systematic programme of helping to build national and individual pride and self-esteem, and giving the disability issue widespread media coverage through consistent, high-profile national and international sporting events.

While accepting the medal as a great personal honour, Minko stressed the collective effort of the nation’s athletes with a disability, the CNVLD management team and the hundreds of people who have contributed time, effort and funds to building the organisation since 1996.

“It is the combined dedication of athletes and individuals such as National Coach Christian Zepp over many years which has allowed the CNVLD to develop into one of the most successful and respected sports organisations in Cambodia, and as such this medal represents an award for the whole CNVLD family,” said Minko.

The secretary also emphasised the courage and long-term vision of leading corporate sponsors such as Cellcard and ANZ Royal Bank who, through their support to Cambodian disability sports development, have helped ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisation.