In 1956, Cambodia attended its first Olympic Games and participated in the 1964 and 1972 Games as well. Due to warfare and civil strife, Cambodia interrupted its attendance and failed to participate in the 1960, 1968, 1976, 1980, 1984 , 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics. The country returned to regular participation with the 1996 Summer Games.

One of the most popular sports in Cambodia is football but during the Khmer Rouge years either the finest players died or left the country. With the return to peace in the nation, it is encouraging that once again Cambodians are taking up popular sports like any sports-crazed nation.

Although there are more pressing priorities than sports in Cambodia, there are many positive impacts of sports on the development of the nation's future.

• When participating in a sport, children will have the opportunity to meet many new friends and look forward to attending school

• Sports teach the important lessons of teamwork, which can be applied to all areas of life off of the playing field that will lead the    nation to a better quality of life.

• Playing a sport will teach children about goal setting, motivation and working to accomplish something. It is important that a child    learns about hard work and following through on a mission to get out of poverty in the long run.

• Sports will also teach children how to deal with defeat. It is not about winning, it is about trying hard, doing the best one can and    having fun while understanding the reality of life.

Finally sports can help children with living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, creating positive self-esteem, and avoiding harmful demises.

In a nation where close to 40% of the population is below the age of 15 years and 45% are under 5 years and underweight, health is a serious issue in Cambodia.

Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation has recently launched CLoveS to promote and encourage the love of sports by Cambodians, targeting especially rural schools. With a donation of CLoveS, rural schools can expect to receive a sports package packed in a local hand-made rattan basket consisting of equipment for popular local as well as easy to implement team sports namely,

• Football

• Volleyball

• Takraw (boys)

• Frisbee

• Kickball

• Netball (girls)

• Futsal

• Mini cones, whistles and skipping ropes

If you are planning to come to Cambodia soon or considering a gift for a special event (such as Christmas or anniversary or birthday), why not donating a CLoveS package to a deserving rural school in Cambodia?

For more information, please email info@ljcambodia.org