Battambang (AsiaNews) – Soccer, basketball, smiles, and a great deal of solidarity are the highlights of a recent visit to Spain by a group of Cambodian children and youth, most of whom are victims of landmines, a grim legacy of war and still an urgent issue to this day.
During their stay, the kids were hosted by Real Madrid. The prestigious Spanish football club has been working for some time with the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang and its affiliated NGO, Sauce, providing support for their activities through its own foundation, which operates across various sectors.
The Catholic Church in Cambodia shared highlights of these joyful, fun-filled days through videos and footage posted on its social media channels.
Father Kike Figaredo, apostolic prefect of Battambang, led a group of more than 30 young performers of traditional Khmer dance, who left on 26 September to perform in Spain and other European countries.
This artistic tour seeks not only to showcase Cambodia’s cultural heritage on the international stage, but also to bear witness to the spirit of resilience, hope, and dignity among people with disabilities in Cambodia.
Most members of this group of young artists live with disabilities, victims of landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from the war, as well as those affected by polio or other conditions.
Through the vibrant movements of classical and traditional Khmer dance, these young people have transformed their pain and physical challenges into artistic energy, earning great admiration from European audiences for their courage and extraordinary talent.
Father Figaredo, known to Cambodians and the international community by his nickname of “bishop of the wheelchairs”, has dedicated decades of his life, as well as his physical and moral energy, to serving the people of Cambodia, especially the most vulnerable members of society.
Since the 1980s, the Jesuit priest has worked actively in refugee camps along the border between Cambodia and Thailand where he spearheaded the production of the “Mekong Wheelchair”, a wheelchair made from local wood and iron, to help landmine victims gain mobility and reclaim their independence.
Since his appointment as apostolic prefect of Battambang in 2000, the priest and missionary has carried out countless humanitarian and community development projects.
This European tour of performances serves as further testament to his commitment to showing the world that people with disabilities are not a burden on society; on the contrary, they act as ambassadors of goodwill for their culture and play a vital role in building a world defined by love, solidarity, and coexistence free from discrimination.
The initiative is also part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations for Sauce NGO, a Spanish non-governmental organisation founded in 2001 to support the social, educational, and humanitarian work of Father Figaredo in Battambang.
In addition to the NGO and the local Church, the project received active support from the Fundación Real Madrid - the Spanish club’s president, Florentino Pérez, warmly welcomed the young people, joined by several members of the club’s football and basketball teams.
For their part, the young people showcased traditional Khmer culture and art through performances of dance and song.
“Eleven students from the Foundation's schools in Cambodia took to the field with the players,” reads a statement issued by the club. The kids “stepped onto the Bernabéu pitch alongside our players before the match against Villarreal. They are part of the group of beneficiaries of the Foundation's projects in that country and are currently visiting Madrid.”
The club goes on to say that, “The experience allowed the young Cambodians to share training sessions with participants from projects that, despite being carried out thousands of kilometres apart, share the same educational philosophy and values.”
Finally, in a statement released at the conclusion of the event, Sauce expressed “profound gratitude to Real Madrid C.F. and the Fundación Real Madrid for the unconditional support, charity, and sincere love shown to these young ambassadors of Cambodia’s culture, hope, and honour.
“These unforgettable memories will be taken back to their families, schools, and communities, filling their lives with pride and hope,” while also serving as a tribute to all those who “worked hard to make Cambodia part of a world-class club.”
“Thank you for showing that sport, inclusivity, and shared values can forge friendships that transcend borders and truly change people’s lives. Hala Madrid!”
(Photo taken from the Real Madrid C.F. website)
