THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has been organising its third season of the “Football for All” competition, which has seen games played every weekend at Olympic Stadium since December 5, and which will continue until February 28 next year. According to Bun Sok, secretary of state at the ministry, the tournament’s principal aim is to increase the health, friendship, solidarity, entertainment and happiness of the Kingdom’s public.

Participants in the tournament must be strictly nonprofessional, having never played in the Cambodian Premier League, Hun Sen Cup, University Cup or any other national tournaments.

For this season, 32 teams registered and were divided into eight groups of four. Each match lasts 80 minutes in total, but all other rules follow those of FIFA.

The top two of each group will advance to second-round knockout fixtures, with winners progressing to quarterfinals, semis and the grand final. An official from the ministry said Wednesday that the champion teams will collect 1.2 million riels (US$290), while runners-up will receive 800,000 riels and third-placers will get 400,000 riels.

The previous campaign saw Flying Motors Shop crowned champions, with Elder Preah Khan Reach runners up and Sovatepheap Gaz in third.

The teams and their groups

Group A: Bayon Wanderers, Funan FC, Online, Red Ling

Group B: KTH, Elder Preah Khan Reach, Acleda Bank, Kim Chan Dara Transport

Group C: Flying Motors Shop, Chamcar Nonong, PSE FC, Cam-Biz Group

Group D: Metiny FC, Kanan Phnom Penh, Youth Village IV, Cambodiana FC

Group E: Kirirom FC, Bayon TV, Bon Café, SGG FC

Group F: Atlantic FC, Phnom Penh Computer, Senate Team, Bassac FC

Group G: Sovatepheap Gaz, Camintel FC, Independence FC, New Generation

Group H: Comin Khmer, My Team, BKC FC, Akira FC