Football legend Sir Bobby Charlton lands in Cambodia

 Although accompanied by skateboard genius and fellow Laureus Sport for Good ambassador Tony Hawk, in football crazy Cambodia all eyes were on the spritely 70-year-old.

 Sir Bobby greeted media at Phnom Penh International Airport before heading off on a road trip to Battambang province, nearly 300 kilometres north-west of the capital and one of the areas hardest hit by landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO).

 The Cambodian Mine Action Centre estimates up to 6 million UXO and mines still litter the country after 30 years of civil war and aerial bombing and hundreds of people still lose their lives or are wounded each year.

 Sir Bobby and Hawk's three-day visit is intended to show their support for the "Spirit of Soccer" project based in Battambang - a project supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

 Charlton was signed by English football team Manchester United in 1953 at the tender age of 17 and made 752 starting appearances for the club.

 As one of the 'Busby Babes' to survive the Munich Air Disaster which decimated the team, he became a star in some of the greatest Manchester United sides in history, playing alongside the likes of Denis Law and George Best.

 His glittering international career was crowned by England's 1966 World Cup win and his being awarded European Footballer of the Year. Altogether, Sir Bobby scored 49 goals for England during 106 caps and is still remembered for his thundering strikes.

 He is scheduled to return to Phnom Penh Thursday to hold a football clinic for orphaned and underprivileged children before departing Cambodia.

 The Laureus World Sports Academy describes itself as "a unique association of 42 of the greatest living sporting legends who share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, bring people together, and to improve the lives of young people around the world".

 The visit is a welcome boost for Cambodian football. Cambodia is ranked at 170 by world governing body FIFA and the sport has been plagued by allegations of corruption.

DPA