GOFC Launches in Cambodia to promote girls football and equality
At an event held at Raintree, Girls Onside Football Cambodia (GOFC) a social enterprise aimed at promoting girls participation in football was officially launched.
The event was attended by representatives from a number of major Cambodian football clubs, stakeholders, as well as Samheng Boros, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and President at Athletics.
What is GOFC?
In the words of the organisation themselves “GOFC aims to go beyond football by promoting gender equality and empowering girls holistically and also promote community identity through football. ‘We recognize the importance of girls inclusion in sport overall, and are therefore delighted to be a technical partner of GOFC. This will help girls in Cambodia to learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, decision-making, fair play and confidence. This will help in realization of child rights and equality for girls, ‘said Gwynneth Wong, Country Director, Plan International. Puth Thyda, President of Boeung Ket FC and member of the Executive Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Women’s Football Organizing Committee added, ‘as a woman and a football lover, I am extremely happy to have been part of the GOFC. I am fully aware of how important grassroots football is for girls. This will greatly help develop women’s football in Cambodia and I fully support this initiative.”
At the event main speaker and organiser Conor Nestor went on to explain that the original idea was born from a similar program he had ran in the Republic of Ireland whereby they had managed to increase the number of girls clubs from just a few to into the hundreds within a few years. GO FC would be run on a similar model, but adapted for Cambodia as a developing country with different social norms.
As Conor himself put it “We want girls to not only be able to play football, but also be able to see a route to playing at the top of the pyramid. I say this as the Cambodian women’s team head off to the SEA games in Vietnam”.
To read our interview with Conor Nestor click here.
As for Samheng Boros link to the project, he explained that after having a daughter he was worried about the future and indeed hardships she may face as a female in Cambodia. This was to prove a catalyst for him getting involved with GOFC.
Who is involved in GOFC and how can I help?
GOFC’s organizational members include Svay Rieng FC, Phnom Penh Crown FC, KMH Foundation of ISI Group, Riel Phnom Penh Srey and Happy Football Cambodia Australia and Football for Life. Notably absent of course is the Cambodian Premier League, with Khmer Nights obviously wanting to ask about the elephant in the room.
When asked directly by us if the Cambodian Premier League would be supporting the program Conor diplomatically replied that would not be currently, but they were at least “aware of our existence” and talks had been held.
To read about the Cambodian Premier League click here.
During the event, GOFC appealed to the public and media for the following:
- Go to our Facebook page, like, Share and engage. Girls Onside Football Cambodia – GO FC | Facebook
- Tell interested parties about our events, up coming Camps and training
- Promote people to donate to our cause using ABA number 000211500 (Football For life)
- Promote the cause – girls in football, girls in sports; promote female role models
- Provide positive coverage of girls and women football in general, including the importance of including girls in sports; publish stories and articles along these themes
GOFC’s first girls only football Camp will be on May 29th May at CIS Roller Dome and DIB Club from 4 to 6:30 pm. The link to the sign up can be found on the Facebook page.
For more information please contact:
Conor Nestor, Head Coach, Svay Rieng
Email: Conornestor17@gmail.com
Mobile: +855 17 469 985
Siek Sovann, Senior Programme Manager, KMH Foundation,
Email: sieksovann@gmail.com
Mobile: (+855) 77262711
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Author: Adam Reeves
An avid traveler and telecommunications expert, Adam has explored over 25 countries, immersing himself in their cultures to discover the best they offer. His passion for connecting people extends from his professional life to his adventures abroad.
