With Cambodia’s historic date with Davis Cup destiny fast approaching, the Tennis Federation of Cambodia is launching its Mission to Doha campaign on Wednesday evening at the NagaWorld Ballroom.

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Cambodia is the newest member to join the 166-strong Davis Cup family.

The Kingdom’s glorious chapter opens on April 16 in the Asia Oceania Group IV made up of nine other contenders including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Myanmar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkmenistan and United Arab Emirates.

Entertainment and Gaming Industry leaders NagaWorld are fully supporting the national team in its Doha bid.

“We are proudly privileged to be partnering the TFC in the country’s biggest sporting endeavour,” NagaWorld Vice President for Promotions, Events and Entertainment Rajesh Kumar told the Post yesterday.

In this pre-mission goodwill and charm offensive, the TFC will offer the media and special invitees a mega mix of Cup-related tennis insights, fashion, style and entertainment during what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

The floor will be open to both the local and international press to interact with the members of the Doha-bound delegation headed by non-playing captain Tep Rithivit, who will also make a detailed presentation on the structure of the Davis Cup and Cambodia’s debut at the bottom of that pyramid.

A fashion show after the media event offers the catwalk by some of Cambodia’s well known male and female models outfitted in French designer Jean Benoit Lasselin’s famous Colorblind collection.

But the most exciting visuals of the evening will be the unveiling of the national team’s official dress, competition wear and practice clothing worn by the four players – Bun Kenny, Mam Panhara, Long Samneang and Mam Vetu.

Cambodia’s official uniform, designed by Phnom Penh-based Colorblind, is a combination of white denim trousers, light blue shirt and a dark blue jacket.

Some valued tennis collectibles including TFC-produced Killing Fields to Tennis Court T-shirts autographed by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are up for bidding at an auction.

“This is our way of sharing our joy and sense of that big occasion with all our sponsors and supporters and seeking their goodwill and blessings for our most significant assignment,” said Tep Rithivit, who is also TFC Secretary General.

The Cambodian squad leaves Phnom Penh on Friday, reaching Doha late at night the same day.

The official draw to determine the two five-team groupings will be held on Saturday, with the round robin competition opening at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex a week today.

The final is slated for April 22. At stake for the 10 teams are two promotional tickets to Group III in 2013.

Kenny wins over Nguyen

Fourth seeded Bun Kenny outstroked Austria’s Mattheaus Nguyen 6-4, 6-3 yesterday in the second round of the qualifiers to make the 32-player main draw in the ITF Men’s Futures event in Ho Chi Minh City’s Hoang Then Tennis Club.

Cambodia’s Davis Cup singles hope took a little more than an hour to subdue the 19-year-old Austrian.

Earlier in the first round, Kenny suffered a mid-match lapse of concentration before tightening his game to beat Malaysian youngster Ariez Elyaas Deen-Heshaam 6-1, 5-4, 6-1.

Kenny will take on third seeded Jose Statham of New Zealand in the first round today.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s No 2, Mam Panhara, who has been given a wild card, will face Australian Luke Saville.

To contact the reporter on this story: H S Manjunath at [email protected]