Cambodia Taekwondo Athletes Participated in the UYFC Championship, Exceeded Expectations

Phnom Penh: The event of the 1st UYFC Taekwondo Championship, which was held for two days under the joint organization of three institutions such as the Phnom Penh Taekwondo Association, the Khmer American Neakreach Taekwondo Alliance, and the Phnom Penh Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia (UYFC), ended successfully, with participation exceeded expectations with up to 1,300 athletes.

Mr. Pal Ketchhekova, President of the Khmer American Neakreach Taekwondo Alliance, said that this is the first year of collaboration between the three institutions to promote taekwondo in public schools, and in the next years more, we expect to organize bigger than this first year to raise funds from the partner companies to buy the taekwondo training materials for athletes in public schools to have the opportunity to train.

The 9th Dan Taekwondo expert explained that: The introduction of Taekwondo training in public schools does not mean that to let them practice and train to fight each other, but rather that students who practice Taekwondo will receive a good education, good moral, and good discipline for living. At the same time, the President of the Khmer American Neakreach Taekwondo Alliance also thanked to H.E. Chey Chap, President of the Phnom Penh Taekwondo Association, and H.E. Say Sam Al, President of the Phnom Penh Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, and deeply thanked to Samdech Techo and Samdech Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who both brought peace to the country and sports live in peace.

Mr. Sam Sok Yi, Secretary General of the Phnom Penh Taekwondo Association, emphasized that this Taekwondo competition has really benefited to students in public schools. First, the benefit to students’ education and second, the participation in training Taekwondo for young athletes with a Taekwondo spirit, towards having the potential to participate in the national and international competitions, especially towards the 4th Asian Youth Games that Cambodia will host in 2029.

Mr. Be Makara, representing H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Say Sam Al, President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, praised and highly appreciated the Phnom Penh Taekwondo Association and the Khmer American Neakreach Taekwondo Alliance for their efforts in organizing this competition, providing an opportunity for young athletes, who are the bamboo shoot of next generation in participation to compete in cultivating their consciences and will to promote the sports sector in Cambodia to become more development. This competition is a potential vehicle to encourage our athletes to continue to train hard, to strengthen their abilities and physical fitness, intelligence, and courage to pursue careers as national athletes or coaches in the future.

It should be noted that: The event of the First UYFC Taekwondo Championship was organized to celebrate the Victory Day of January 7, 1979 and January 7, 2025, the 46th anniversary of the complete success in overthrowing of the Democratic Kampuchea Regime, which was held power by Pol Pot. This competition has shown that the next generation of young people remember that everything started from the Victory Day of January 7, 1979 and under the right leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to make the country peaceful and develop in all sectors, including sports.