Phnom Penh: Phnom Penh: U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh is thrilled to welcome Sports Envoys Joanna Lohman and Kacey White, former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team players, to Cambodia from March 4-8. Through the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy program, the soccer stars will engage young Cambodian women and other youth to encourage them to develop their soccer skills and raise the profile of one of the world's most popular sports. Their engagements with aspiring athletes will focus on teamwork, effective communication, building self-esteem, and other lessons learned through playing soccer.

The Sports Envoys will participate in activities throughout the week in Kampong Chhnang, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. In Kampong Chhnang, they will conduct a sports clinic with the Lotus Sports Club, and in Siem Reap, they will coach and engage with children in partnership with Kids Play International. To commemorate International Women’s Day, Ms. Lohman and Ms. White will meet with Cambodian students to discuss women in sports and share their experiences as former professional players for the U.S. National Team.

The U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy program recruits athletes and coaches to hold sports clinics and engage with young people and athletes across the globe. Overseas, U.S. embassies and consulates partner with local organizations to implement the programs, which develop leadership skills, empower women, and foster social inclusion and cohesion. Over 300 Sports Envoys representing 24 different sports have traveled on behalf of the United States government to deliver high-impact programming.