Children of Cambodian land mine victims to play football in South Africa

via CAAI News Media

By Sopheng Cheang (CP) – 3 hours ago

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Children of Cambodian land mine victims will compete in a football tournament in South Africa during the World Cup to highlight the need to eradicate such weapons worldwide, an organizer said Friday.

The competition is being organized by Spirit of Soccer, a private group that uses football to teach children in countries affected by land mines about their danger. It currently operates football coaching projects in Cambodia and Iraq.

Stephen Sonderman, who heads the group in Cambodia, said eight teenagers will take part in the Football of Hope Festival in South Africa from late June to the middle of July.

The eight were selected from farming families affected by land mines in the northwestern province of Battambang, one of the most heavily mined regions of the country.

Organizers said the competition will bring together 32 teams from around the world, each representing organizations that use football for social development.

"This opportunity will open doors for these mine-affected Cambodian children who have few opportunities to just be kids and play," Sonderman said.

He said two coaches have been training the eight players, aged 15 to 18, for several years.

Cambodians continue to be killed each year from an estimated 4 million to 6 million land mines and unexploded ordnance that remain in rural areas following three decades of conflict.

Spirit of Soccer said it is also joining other groups to mark International Mine Action Day on April 4 with a football festival in Jordan for players from that country, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.