Malaysian Embassy Builds Friendship Through Ambassador's Football Shield In Phnom Penh

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Embassy brought the global football frenzy to Cambodia on Sunday by staging the Malaysian Ambassador's Football Shield 2026 tournament that served as a tool of diplomacy.

The third edition of the annual tournament was held to foster sporting friendships and strengthen people-to-people ties.

As the FIFA World Cup captivated billions worldwide, 25 football teams competed with passion and excitement in the capital, Phnom Penh.

“This is one way we foster stronger relations between our two countries (Malaysia and Cambodia) while strengthening people-to-people relations.

“This tournament is unique and different, a non-traditional way to promote diplomacy and people’s relations,” Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn told Bernama on the sidelines of the event.

The embassy’s annual flagship sporting event, apart from its golf and bowling, is largely driven by Malaysian corporate sponsorship, from healthcare and financial institutions to private companies.

“From the very beginning, we had aspired to host a sporting event to bring our corporate friends together – both Malaysian and Cambodian.

“The Malaysian Ambassador’s Football Shield and its success are also a testament to the excellent relations between our two countries, Malaysia and Cambodia, and of course, between the peoples of Malaysia and Cambodia,” Shaharuddin said in his speech before the kick-off of the tournament.

Footballers from diverse backgrounds — corporate, media and youth — battled it out in a thrilling six-a-side format played for 15 minutes.

Cambodia Airways defeated Asia Euro University 2-0 in the final to lift the Ambassador's Shield, while MIDEA Cambodia finished third.

The champions received US$1,200 (RM4,895) in prize money, the runners-up were awarded US$1,000 (RM4,895), and the third-placed team took home US$800 (RM3,263).

The one-day event was held at the Chea Sim Chroy Changvar High School in Phnom Penh.

-- BERNAMA