The Cambodian national standing volleyball team pose for a photo with national coach Willy Guillory (centre, back) at training yesterday. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Four new faces have been brought in to reinforce a well balanced Cambodian national team setting out for top honours at the 2011 WOVD Standing Volleyball World Cup being staged at the indoor hall of Olympic Stadium from July 23-29. The official 12-man squad list has been released by the Cambodian National Volleyball League (Disabled), the event’s organising body.

Newcomers Meas Rotha, Oun Vothana, Ou Phalla and Nget Sombo are set to star alongside the upper crust of the Kingdom’s standing volleyball - Peab Teth, Chem Kong, Pin Sarath, Ing Piream, Sang Veasna, Noun Piroth, Nhem Bun Theoun and Cup veteran Chhim Phan, who has been named as captain.

Five players have been involved in more than one previous World Cup.

“The final selection was made after a strict fitness and skills evaluation process,” CNVLD Secretary Christopher Minko told the Post yesterday.

“After a great deal of thought and realisation that the previous teams and structures didn’t get us to the top, we have made some hard decisions in order to get that No 1. There is no other objective.

Minko also revealed that former national team coach Christian Zepp of Germany has been replaced by Willy Guillory, who until recently was employed as the team’s fitness and motivation coach.

“Willy has an award winning internationally recognised track record in fitness and motivation along with his volleyball coaching skills and has been greeted with open arms by the members of the national team who are excelling under his leadership,” said the Secretary.

Australian Khmer Poramy Chit, who is currently working at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, has been appointed as assistant national coach. “In addition, two national level volleyball coaches from Australia [of Cambodian heritage] will be providing specialist training sessions in the lead up to the World Cup,” added Minko.

Meanwhile, the CNVLD announced it has received support from Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and the National Paralympics Committee of Cambodia. “[It’s] a superb example of Cambodian sports organisations and a Cambodian NGO working in excellent cooperation with the Government to assist sports development in Cambodia,” Minko said.

While the exact amount of the donation has not been disclosed, the CNVLD Secretary stated that they have been granted free use of Olympic Stadium for the tournament, free visas for all international participants, and free flights for all match officials as well as funds to cover expenses such as a month-long training camp for the national team and production costs of hosting and advertising the event. The provision of 150 volunteers from the Red Cross has also been agreed. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DAN RILEY