Canadian musician Leonard Cohen has pledged US$50,000 to the development of a school complex in Svay Rieng province. Photo by: Reuters

Canadian musician Leonard Cohen has pledged US$50,000 to the development of a school complex in Svay Rieng province. Photo by: Reuters

Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Leonard Cohen and his manager Robert Kory have announced their intention to donate US$50,000 to a Buddhist pagoda in Svay Reing province.

The 77-year-old music legend, whose November 2010 concert in Phnom Penh was postponed to a date yet to be determined, is having his donation coordinated by the Cambodian National Volleyball League (Disabled).

CNVLD Secretary General Christopher Minko told The Post yesterday that Prek Ksay pagoda in Neak Leaung district will be the beneficiary of this substantial contribution. The funds will be used to build a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly school complex including sports facilities.

“We will set up a Disability Centre, and Svay Reing will be the 11th province to join [the CNVLD] community development drive,” said Minko.

The proposed school is to be named after Pich Om, the matriach of the Prek Ksay pagoda, the CNVLD and the Phnom Penh-based band Krom.

The establishment of sister-school relationships with institutions in Australia, Canada and the United States is also planned.