Tennis aces Tun Tola and Maria Suh were crowned champions of the men’s and women’s singles competitions, respectively, at the 8th Annual Tep Khunnah Memorial Tennis Cup on Sunday.
The weeklong competition was held in honor of the 1960s tennis star.
Maria Suh, a 26-year-old teacher from Denmark, was one of a handful of foreign competitors in the field of 60.
“The level here is much lower than in Europe, and the tournament is very Cambodian—you don’t know the times of your matches until very late,” she said, laughing. “On the other hand, it’s a very nice atmosphere. Lovely people.”
A crowd of 40 cheered on the men’s singles championship match. The winners received silver decorative plates emblazoned with the image of Angkor Wat.
While many of the athletic aspirations of Cambodian youth are hindered by funding troubles, Tep Rithivit, secretary-general of the Tennis Federation of Cambodia said the International Tennis Federation earmarks 2.5 percent of its international tournament profits for tennis development in poor countries.
“The ITF agreed to build us a tennis center. They are prepared to give us tools,” he said. “But when the National Olympic Committee doesn’t support us in getting into schools, we are not eligible for ITF funding.”
The tournament, privately sponsored by the Canadian garbage collection company Cintri, is one of three annual national team tournaments, five short of the minimum needed to compete with neighboring countries, Tep Rithivit said.
“As soon as the Olympic Committee promotes tennis without putting personal interest into it, then we have a chance. We need more support, input and cooperation,” he said.
Report by: Arianne Cohen
