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
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