The Editor,

I would like to exert my right to answer the allegations made by Mr. Nov Vuthy and

Mr. So Samuth in the article of the Phnom Penh Post dated 29 December 1995.

The selection of 30 players was made in February 1995, after the Samdech Krom Preah

Cup by the Selection Committe.

The players came from the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Urbanism, the Civil

Aviation Authority, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Prey Veng province.

The Royal Guard team was formed in April 1995 to provide more support to the Cambodian

players.

The above mentioned teams were dissolved due to the lack of funds and were not able

to compete from January to May since there was neither organized league nor adequate

training.

After the signing ceremony of sponsorship by Marlboro with FKFA (Federation Khmere

de Football Association) in May, a salary of $50 was given to all players who attended

training.

The Committee cut the national selection down to 22 players two months before the

Games, conforming to the masterplan I submitted to FKFA in July 1994. Two meals per

day, amounting to $5, were provided three months prior to the SEA Games.

A house was rented to gather the national team. Their equipment was provided by Adidas.

They were all medically and physically examined, once by the Physical Education Center,

once by Aurora Clinic, where all players could go for medication, health services

and blood tests.

Sports medicine doctors do not exist yet but the FKFA has asked FIFA (Federation

Internationale de Football Association) and AFC (Asian Football Confederation) to

set up training courses this year.

The football delegation that went to Chiang Mai had 18 players, one head coach, Mr

Lors Salakhan, one assistant coach, Mr Chean, one advisor, Mr Kim from North Korea

and his translator.

HRH Sisowath Chivannariddh and I lead the delegation. We are appointed executive

members of FKFA and also of the Technical Committee of the ASEAN Football Federation,

fluent in English and French - unlike the tourists who were appointed by Mr. So Samuth.

Our ratio official to player was six to 18. Mr. So Samuth, Chef de Mission, designated

43 officials to under-supervise 33 athletes.

Changes are assuredly needed in sports in 1996!

- Ravy Khek, Vice-President Federation Khmere de Football Association.