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Cambodian football team vow to learn Welsh as part of Cardiff World Cup

19 Jul 2019 2 minute read
A previous Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen. Picture by Benno Hansen (CC BY 2.0)

Cambodia’s team at the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff have vowed to learn Welsh as part of their participation in the tournament.

The Homeless World Cup will take place in Cardiff from July 27-August 3, and will host more than 500 players from 51 nations with 64 teams.

Two teams representing Wales will also take part – a men’s/mixed competition and a women’s team.

Games will be played in Bute Park, and there will be other events linked to the games.

The Cambodian team’s founder and CEO Paraic Grogan said that they were keen to make an impression on Wales.

“To show the world the special unique nature of Cambodian culture and to learn the Welsh language so as to better understand their hosts and be good ambassadors for their homeland,” he told the Khmer Times.

“Now all the Cambodian team will go to Britain to represent the Kingdom with pride.

“All eight players and the coaching staff are working so hard to achieve their goals. To bring home a trophy.”

‘Beautiful’

Speaking at a recent press conference, British Ambassador to Cambodia, Tina Redshaw, wished the Cambodian team well in their bid for glory in Wales.

“I welcome the fact that the Cambodian team are traveling to the UK to compete in the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff,” she said.

“I too will be cheering for you and the Cambodian team during the competition. Enjoy the experience of being in Cardiff – it’s a beautiful city – and the experience of being part of such a fantastic global event.

“On behalf of the United Kingdom and on behalf of Cardiff, I would like to wish you the best, to the players, the coach and staff, and I look forward to hearing how it went.”

The Homeless World Cup has been running every year since 2003, when just 18 teams participated.

Cambodia first took part in 2008 when the tournament was held in Melbourne, Australia and has attended 10 of the 11 tournaments held since then.


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