Flying Tigers In Cambodia
Song Punna, Cambodia
Song Punna is a football coach for Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF) in Cambodia. Founded in 2006, ISF combines educational and football programmes to help young people develop the skills and confidence to break out of poverty, working with 60 organisations and schools.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Song Punna. I’m 20 years old, and I have three brothers and two sisters. I’m currently studying Information Technology in my first year at the National Institute of Business (NIB). I’ve been working as a football coach with ISF for 6 years. At the beginning, playing football was never my favourite thing, but my interest in football started growing after going to matches with my older brother and seeing him having fun playing football with his friends. So I started playing football, and I was good at it. Later, I joined the ISF Football Programme and received a lot of training, and when I was capable enough, ISF selected me to be a coach.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
I showed the Flying Tigers, an ISF U14 Girls team were practicing during their training. A mixed group of players and a volunteer (in light green shirt) were playing together during their weekly training on a Friday evening at ISF’s school football pitch. It shows that gender doesn’t matter in sports, and girls can also play and enjoy sport like boys.
There was also a female and a male coach (in purple shirt) assisting blind players, while players in the background are preparing to play some fun games during an ISF All Abilities Event at the ISF Sports Ground. Disability should not be a reason to prevent people from participating in sport. ISF has been working hard to break down barriers by holding games and All Abilities Events to increase access to sports for children and youth with disabilities in Cambodia.
Why is football so important for Cambodian people?
Football is so important for Cambodian people because it helps keep young people away from using illegal drugs and doing bad things. Football is also key to healthy lifestyles for people of all ages.
What role does football play in Cambodian society?
I think today football has become more popular than ever before in Cambodia. Compared to the past, I’ve seen more and more women encouraged to play football, and many of them have become professional players. Through football, women have become more aware of their own rights and courageous to pursue their dreams.
Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?
Vid, 10 years old (on the left) and Chi Meng, 10 years old (on the right) are in a U10 Boys team. They have been playing football with ISF for a few years. Despite their young ages and different ability levels, both of them are very passionate and committed to playing football and learning new things. They’re always attentive, concentrated and cooperative when it comes to joining their weekly training.
What does football mean to you?
To me, football always inspires me to keep working hard towards my goal and to never give up on my dream.
What is the future for Cambodian football?
I believe that football in Cambodia will become more developed in the future, gaining more participation and support from the public, especially young people.
