• Society

Kids in Siem Reap Grow through Sports

• By Teng Yalirozy
• September 28, 2023 3:04 PM

SIEM REAP — What energizes children in school so they learn well? Sport may help.

About 95 children and adolescents from partnered primary schools and high schools in Siem Reap City make up the sports team formed by Kids Play International (KPI) Cambodia, an organization that promotes gender equality and empowers women and youths through sports.

Charlie Crawford, KPI Cambodia manager, said there are about 45 female students on the team, playing various sports such as volleyball, football, American baseball and athletics.

There are two teams: the children team from ages 7 to 15 and the adult team from ages 15 to 18.

Originally from the United States and having been in Cambodia for six months, Crawford said the potential of the students is huge, but it comes down to how much support they can take advantage of and are being offered.

“I'm in the lucky position to offer some of the support and facilitate scholarships for high school graduates and different types of professional development,” he said.

Charlie Crawford is the manager at KPI who leads and coaches the team. Photo: Teng Yalirozy

Crawford went on to say that sport is a wonderful tool and can be a way to communicate different types of messages about conflict prevention and gender equity issues.

“We see it as the vehicle to bring about change and more intentional thoughts and more complex ideas,” he stressed. “It's not only about competition but about the way we start to have more important conversations.”

In 2018, Kids Play launched Let's Play Fair Cambodia in Anhchanh Village, which is located in Nokor Thom Commune in Siem Reap District, Siem Reap Province.

Twice a week, the program provides students at the Kurata Primary School (ages 7-12) and Stephen Mazujian Middle School (ages 13-18) with sports to strengthen peer networks, engage in meaningful contact, and challenge gender norms and misconceptions about women's capabilities.

The United States Embassy’s Public Affairs Section has funded Kids Play International (KPI) through its annual small-grant competition, which amounts to $20,000 to use sports to promote gender equality and empower women and youth.

U.S. Ambassador Patrick Murphy initiated a one-year project in 2020 to improve youth and adult development, leadership skills, and economic opportunities in a rural village in Siem Reap province.

Ambassador Patrick Murphy joined 70 students at the Kurata Primary School on Sept. 22 for the “Empowering Women and Youth through Sports” in Siem Reap. Photo: US Embassy

Chheng Chanmary, a coach at KPI who trains young students and is also a grade 4 teacher, said that, through the program, she had the opportunity to get involved in sports and become a coach.

“I’m a woman, but I can play sports and coach my students,” she said. “I feel productive, and I want to help my students achieve great things.”

Sports for Mental Development

Chea Sarin, Nokor Thum Commune chief said that students’ academic performance improves after they get involved in sports and activities provided by KPI.

“It’s not competitive sports but it stimulates the brain functions and improves their thinking,” he said.

Van Sophat, Kurata Primary School principal, said students become braver, more courageous after playing sports. They practice on Monday and Tuesday, which does not affect their studies, she said.

“I am happy that my students can enjoy learning while playing sports for their mental and physical development,” she said.

There are six classrooms in the Kurata Primary School from kindergarten to sixth grade and 10 teachers, said Sophat. The school building was built with the support of Japanese donors.

“I do hope that the sports program will continue so that my students can keep improving,” she said. “Sports help them build teamwork and interaction.”

Female coaches at KPI. Photo: Teng Yalirozy