Lanka to play President's Cup in Cambodia

SOCCER: Cambodia will host its first major football tournament in more than three decades when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President's Cup comes to the kingdom in May, an official said Thursday.

"It is a big event for Cambodia as this is the first time such a big tournament is to be held in Cambodia" since the 1960s, said Khek Ravy, president of Cambodia's Football Federation.

"We are proud of this ... we will gain a lot of interest from it," he said.

Cambodia's athletic institutions are largely in disarray after three decades of war that only ended in 1998, and the country is struggling to gain international recognition for its athletic programs.

The Cambodian football side is routinely thrashed in international play.

Khek Ravy said the league champions from eight nations - Bhutan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan - will participate in the tournament which begins May 10.

The teams will be divided into two groups of four with the top two teams in each group going on to the semi-finals and final. The tournament draw will be held on March 23, Khek Ravy said.

He said football matches will be live on television and many countries can watch the tournament.

King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen will be invited to open the tournament, Khek Ravy said.

Nepal was the first nation to host the AFC President's Cup last year.

Phnon Penh Thursady AFP