[An SoS training session combines football with mine risk education]

Sir Bobby first visited Cambodia as an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. It was the charity Spirit of Soccer which supported this life-changing visit.

The devastating impact he witnessed on communities, caused by landmines from past wars, affected him so deeply that he set up his own foundation and so his precious humanitarian mission began. Today SoS work continues across many of the world’s conflict zones. This includes the Cambodia-Thai border where the latest conflict is shattering lives and livelihoods, displacing families into temporary camps, and decimating the hopes and wellbeing of thousands of children.

This year, the SBCF has partnered with SoS to work in these communities, where football sessions in the refugee camps are combined with Explosive Ordnance Risk Education activity (‘EORE’) for the children to learn about unexploded munitions – their horrific consequences and the huge risk to life.

 

Longer term, SoS and SBCF will work together towards a sustainable national pathway linking mine action operators and football through Asian Football Confederation-accredited Youth Safe Soccer coach training and licensing, and multiple countrywide EORE delivery teams.

Jane Bateman, Vice Chair of the SBCF said,

“This project is a perfect fit for our charity, bringing to life both Sir Bobby’s love for Cambodia and his belief in the power of football to change lives for the better. In this case, it also saves lives”.