Kun Khmer superstars take on new challenge on the football field

A team of prominent Kun Khmer boxers will face off against a team of celebrities from the entertainment world next week, not to fight in the ring they know so well, but on the football pitch.

The charity football match is being held to mobilise funds for the Kantha Bopha hospitals and raise public awareness of the dangers of drugs.

The event will take place on the afternoon of May 1 at the National Olympic Stadium, and is being held under the theme “Together for charity and combating drugs”.

Thoeun Theara, one of the Kingdom’s most successful fighters, will play as a defender along with his fellow boxers Chhoeung Lvai, Yen Dina, and Moeun Sok Huch, according to Khov Chhay, president of the Kun Khmer Federation.

Chhay told The Post on April 26 that he would take to the field as a midfielder, along with Khim Dima and Moeun Mekhea, while Prom Samnang, Roeung Sophorn, Kan Menghong and Eh Amarin Phuthong will play up front as strikers.

Thon Rithy, Emmanuel Onyedikachi, and Thiago Teixeira will find themselves in goal for the match.

“We are less focused on the result than on bringing our most prominent fighters onto the field. This will be a great opportunity for members of the public to see their idols in a different setting to the ring,” said Chhay.

“The May 1 event intends to urge the public to support the Kanthan Bopha Hospital which helps to treat our children. We want to see this hospital sustain their operations,” he added.

Chhay also called on youth to play more sport and stay away from drugs.

Senate president Hun Sen announced that he will not only attend the match, but will serve as honorary manager of the Superstar Team, which consists of singers, comedians and actors, among others.

He announced that he intended to use a 3 4 3 formation, and declared that he and his wife will make a personal donation of $50,000 to the hospital.

“I call on the public to join us in this charitable movement, and also warn them to keep away from illegal narcotics. I urge all philanthropists to contribute money to supporting the hospital, which is in need of financial aid so it can continue to treat children,” he said, via an April 25 social media post.

Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee (NOCC), told The Post that the game will be held on friendly terms, in the spirit of unity. The main goal of the match is to bring joy to the fans of the players, whether Kun Khmer fighters or singers and comedians, all of them influencers in their own right.

“We will be calling for contributions from the public through this event. Our campaign to fight against drugs will also continue, with this sporting event being a major focus of our efforts,” he said.

Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy (CID), supported the celebrity match, noting that each of the causes it will support are worthy ones.

“I think it is a good thing and would like to see a similar campaign extended to all provinces. This event plants a seed among athletes and artists, encouraging them to support good causes,” he said.

The Kantha Bopha children’s hospitals currently provide free treatment, including surgery, to tens of thousands of Cambodian children, as well as offering free-of-charge maternity services. The current operating budget of the hospitals is almost $40 million per year, all of it provided by philanthropists.