Soma Norodom's Blog

Cambodian Tennis Team Will Debut At Davis Cup

The Davis Cup began in 1900 as a competition between USA and Great Britain. It is the world’s largest annual international team competition in sport, with 130 countries entering in 2011. The list of tennis legends to have competed in Davis Cup over the years includes all of the game’s most well known names such as; Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal. All these tennis champions have represented their country with passion and commitment.

Cambodia earned the right to play in one of the oldest and most prestigious team competitions in the world, after the International Tennis Federation elevated the Tennis Federation of Cambodia (TFC) to a B Class Membership, at the annual general meeting in Bangkok in 2011. Cambodia is placed in the Asia Oceania Group IV, in a cluster of 10 countries that include Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Myanmar, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, and the United Arab Emirates.

During the week of April 16, the countries in the Asia Oceania Group IV will compete in Doha, Qatar, and the top nation in each pool plays off against runner-up in other pool, with two winning nations promoted to Asia Oceania Zone Group III for 2013.

“The Cambodian National Team will be announced in early March. There may be one or two surprises in store. We are expecting two smart youngsters with plenty of college tennis experience in the United States to join the national team in March. That should come as a great support for our #1 player, Bun Kenny, who in the past one year has worked hard to improve his world rankings and is now a more seasoned campaigner and a far better and fitter player on the circuit,” stated Tep Rithivit, Secretary General for the Tennis Federation of Cambodia.

In partnership with the Tennis Federation of Cambodia, Nagaworld will sponsor the entire expedition to Qatar, keeping with its belief of supporting community development in Cambodia and helping the country achieve sporting excellence. Nagaworld has worked closely with the National Olympic Committee in Cambodia (NOC), and has supported the Rugby Federation and the Football Federation.

“The chance for Cambodia to participate in the Davis Cup is truly a giant leap forward for tennis and the future of sports in the country. We are happy to sponsor the national team as they embark on their quest to Doha,” said Rajesh Kumar, Nagaworld Vice-President for Events, Promotion and Entertainment.

“I hope it’s all aces and roses for the Cambodian National Team, while wishing the team a grand success in Doha, Nagaworld would be delighted to share this extraordinary moment with the country’s tennis community which richly deserves its place in the sun,” expressed Kevin Nyland, Nagaworld Vice-President for Investor Relations.

Tep Rithivit, the son of a former national champion, and a former junior tennis player, added, ” When Cambodia plays the first rubber in Doha, no matter against whom and with what result, Cambodian tennis would be on a pedestal that had seemed almost impossible to climb a few years ago. That’s the reality and that’s the reason why Davis Cup is such a big deal. Lastly, I would like to underline the presence of His Excellency, Vat Chamroeun, NOC’s Secretary General as a witness in this sponsorship agreement. NOC has been a steadfast supporter of the TFC. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him personally for being with us, again.”

Good luck to the Cambodian Davis Cup Team, and congratulations to Tep Rithivit and the Tennis Federation of Cambodia for debuting Cambodia to the tennis world.

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