We would like to thank you very much for your article on rugby in Cambodia and the

progress made by the Cambodian Federation of Rugby (CFR) in developing the sport

in this country. However, the Federation would like to clarify some misstatements

and inaccuracies that appeared in the article, so there is no future misunderstanding.

Firstly, Mr. Tim Smyth is not a board member of the Cambodian Federation of Rugby

and is not authorized to speak on the Federation's behalf. The current board members

are Mrs. Tan Theany, President; Philippe Monnin, General Secretary; Prun Var, Vice

General Secretary; Jason Webb, Treasurer; and Francois Bleriot, Board Member.

Secondly, Mr. Smyth stated in the article that the CFR was hoping to achieve observer

status in the International Rugby Board (IRB) within two years, which would make

the Federation eligible to receive additional funding and support. This is incorrect.

The CFR has already achieved that status, having been admitted as an Associate Member

of the IRB on 18th November, 2004.

These are indeed exciting times for Cambodian rugby. The CFR is currently running

four divisions of domestic competition: a seven-a-side senior division with eight

teams, a 10-a-side junior division with eight teams, an under age 14 division, and

an under age 11 division. Matches are not only being played in Phnom Penh, but also

in outlying areas, such as Oudong, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and Preah

Vihear to name but a few. This helps expose the sport to different areas of Cambodia

and to increase the participation of our young people.

Again, thank you for your wonderful article and we look forward to further coverage

of the sport. However, we would be very grateful that next time you speak directly

to myself or current board members in order to get accurate information on the current

situation of rugby in Cambodia

Mme. Tan Theany

President Cambodian

Federation of Rugby