On Sunday morning our football-mad kids attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 AIA-ISF Youth League. This is the second time that the Little Hearts football team will be participating in the league, having joined it last year as well. (Our journey was brief that time, as we were new to league play and did not progress very far. But we are much better prepared this time!)
The opening ceremony was held at AIA Stadium, in the western part of Phnom Penh. Many talented teams from all over Cambodia were represented. This year, 75 boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in four age categories – U10, U14, U16 and U18. The league is organized by ISF Cambodia, an NGO focusing on education and community development, in partnership with AIA Cambodia, a leading health and life insurance provider.
According to ISF Cambodia, the league “does more than just promote healthy living, it empowers young athletes across Cambodia to overcome barriers and escapes the cycle of poverty. [It] provides significant opportunities to explore their potential, foster personal development, and create positive change in their lives through football.”
Little Hearts enthusiastically supports the league and its mission. We want our kids to feel what it’s like to be real footballers and to face the challenge of sporting competition. Above all, we want the kids to learn the fundamentals of being part of a sports team – discipline, dedication, camaraderie and sportsmanship. For their part, the kids and their coach Rattanak are keen to put their football training to the test.
Four matches took place immediately after the opening ceremony, but the Little Hearts team was not scheduled to play on that day. We will receive the tournament schedule this week and look forward to our first match. League play will happen every Sunday at either AIA Stadium or ISF’s own pitches in southern Phnom Penh. Matches feature six players per side and will be played on quarter-pitches. Our team will compete in the U16 division and comprises 11 players (eight Little Hearts residents plus three of their friends from the community).
During the opening event, the organizers provided all the teams with uniforms to be used during matches. Each team, however, must provide their own football cleats, shin guards and other equipment. Our kids’ equipment was last purchased two years ago and is quite worn out. The shoes, in particular, are in poor shape and/or do not fit the players anymore, so if there is a generous sponsor out there who is willing to fund these vital items, please get in touch with Tony (tony@lho.ngo) or Roxanne (roxanne@lho.ngo) as soon as possible.
Go Little Hearts!