The Spirit of Soccer (SOS), an international non-profit which combines the world’s most popular sport with mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW), has presented a medal to Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), in recognition of his “outstanding” work.

SOS education representative Ben Brett presented the medal to Thuch during a December 12 ceremony, held at the CMAA headquarters in Phnom Penh.

He described it as an honour to be in Cambodia as a representative of SOS, and to present the award to Thuch, for his outstanding leadership as a true champion of mine action.

“As we all know, landmines and unexploded ordnance represent a serious threat to the economic development, safety and well-being of people around the world. They are the killers of many innocent people, including children,” he said.

Brett added that through Thuch’s tireless efforts, demining operators have been able to eliminate these explosive threats from communities across Cambodia, saving countless lives and providing opportunities for people to rebuild their communities safely and securely.

“Apart from working in mine action, Thuch is also a supporter of the SOS’ work in mine risk education for children. His commitment to mine action and his support for SOS is a testament to his character and commitment to making the world a better place,” he continued.

While he accepted the medal, Thuch said the recognition was not due to just him or even the CMAA, but reflected the efforts of the government, donors, development partners, operators, philanthropists and all other stakeholders, as well as the ordinary Cambodians who have provided unconditional support to mine action in Cambodia.

“This award is the result of the win-win policy of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, which eventually brought peace and stability to the country – the foundation for mine action and development. It also comes from the strong determination of Prime Minister Hun Manet to continue to protect the peace and stability of the Kingdom and lead it towards becoming landmine-free Cambodia,” he added.

According to Thuch, since 1996, SOS has been conducting educational campaigns for children and their communities in more than ten war-torn or post-war countries around the world. The organisation has directly educated more than one million children and trained more than 2,000 football coaches.

SOS has been running football and mine awareness programmes in Cambodia since 2006 and has trained 167 international-standard football coaches and reached more than 500,000 children.