A new generation of star athletes will get their chance to shine with the launch

of a national volleyball competition for disabled people.

The first Cambodian National Volleyball League (Disabled) (CNVLD) will begin in June,

with 14 clubs competing over six months for the title of National Volleyball League

champions.

The program will also train a national volleyball team. The side is ranked sixth

in the world and the aim is for it to become world number one by 2006.

In 2002 the Cambodians won the gold medal at the Korean FESPIC Games making them

number one in the Asia-Pacific region.

Businessman Okhna Suor Pheng has become the first Khmer to support disabled sport

by agreeing to sponsorship deals with leading team The Dragons, backed by the Sunway

Hotel group, and a new side funded by First Cambodia Airlines.

Okhna Pheng has also become the first chairman of the CNVLD.

The vice chairman of the organization is Wolfgang Kitz, executive director of Siemens

Cambodia, which will sponsor a new team based in Phnom Penh and led by national team

linchpin Yim Vanna.