Cambodian football club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC continues to demonstrate its commitment to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives despite sport being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Work didn’t stop for the players of the reigning league champions, with stars such as Prak Mony Udom, Privat Mbarga and captain Soeuy Visal hauling 50kg sacks of rice as the club donated food parcels to 58 underprivileged families suffering further hardship due to the outbreak.

In conjunction with local NGO Flame Cambodia, the record four-time Hun Sen Cup winners also handed out boxes of noodles, canned food, cooking oil and bottles of fish sauce, as well as a financial donation.

The club also donated money to support Flame and their ongoing work in the communities in the capital’s Boeung Tompong, Boeung Trabek, Sen Sok and Stung Meanchey districts.

Hotshot striker Privat Mbarga hands over a financial donation. Post staff

One middle-aged woman from Sen Sok district forced to scavenge through trash for items of any worth to support her family spoke of her relief at receiving the donation late last month.

“In the current situation, this is of so much help. I expect this kind gift to feed my family for at least a month. I really want to thank Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC and Flame Cambodia for their help.

“I cannot find the words to express my gratitude. I have eight family members at home, and I am alone in supporting them. For the first time in a while, I do not have to worry,” she said through tears.

Svay Rieng head coach Conor Nestor spoke of how the club had wasted no time in deciding to act when hearing of the families’ plight.

The club’s coaches and players pose for a photo with Flame Cambodia staff. Post staff

“When we heard your story, we knew we had to help,” he told the assembled family members. “Club chairman His Excellency Dy Vichea agreed straight away to help after hearing your story.

“On behalf of the Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC family, we wish you all the best in these difficult times. We hope today is better than yesterday, and that tomorrow is better than today.

“We as an organisation will continue to support the good work of Flame Cambodia,” the Irishman said before players and staff took the food parcels – which amounted to more than three tonnes of rice – out to waiting tuk-tuks and motorbikes.

Svay Rieng and Cambodia star Prak Mony Udom helps deliver food parcels. Post staff

Flame Cambodia is an educational NGO that aims to lift underprivileged children out of poverty. With research showing that sport helps children focus on their studies and develop social skills and teamwork, Flame has been working with Svay Rieng for almost a year.

Nou Vandeth of Flame Cambodia said the players were eager to help as many had also endured underprivileged upbringings.

“Some of the Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC players had difficult childhoods themselves, and they haven’t forgotten and want to give back to help others now that they are champions,” Vandeth said.

Head coach Nestor recalled the process said that led to the club handing out the food parcels.

“I received a message explaining the situation of Flame Cambodia at the moment having 15 families being evicted and dozens more at risk of it. It soon became clear to me that what was needed were emergency funds.

“When I realised this, I picked up the phone to my boss Dy Vichea, and his attitude was: ‘What do we need to do?’ For me that was a great moment.

“I am a football coach and I am always thinking about winning matches, but I am really happy that our owner looks at a football club as more than that, as a family.

“And today we were a part of doing something more – which is taking care of each other, being responsible for the community around us.

“Always when the team plays, I talk about the players and say we are the team with the big heart, and today I hope we have proven it. And as head coach, this makes me very proud,” Nestor said, beaming.