The Cambodian Federation of Rugby kicks off its 10th season in November.
"We want to encourage as many people as possible from all communities to come and watch the rugby," said Thomas Sterling, the federation's secretary general, at a recent press conference.
As is the case every year, the CFR season unofficially begins with the Angkor 10s rugby tournament. This year, The 2010 ANZ Royal Angkor 10s will host 13 teams from Australia, Cambodia, Dubai, Laos, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The 10-a-side tournament takes place at the Old Stadium in Phnom Penh on Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6. The "old boys" will play a day of exhibition matches on Friday. Competition matches will be played on Saturday.
Confirmed teams attending are:
- Box Hill Unquenchable (Australia)
- INSEAD Barbarians (Singapore)
- Saigon Geckos (Vietnam)
- PSE RUGBY CLUB - GARUDA (Cambodia)
- Hanoi Dragons Rugby Union Football Club (Vietnam)
- Indochine Barbarian (Cambodia, Lao & Vietnam)
- Bedok Kings RFC (Singapore)
- Dubai Exiles (Dubai)
- Southerners Rugby (Thailand)
- Manila Nomads (Philippines)
- Phnom Penh Pirates (Cambodia)
- Stade Khmer (Cambodia)
- Sithowath Knights (Cambodia)
The door is open for a new champion team this year as last year's champions, the Asian Rhinos from Hong Kong, won't be playing in the tournament.
In keeping with tradition, The FCC Cambodia will present the "Man of the Match" award on Saturday.
The 10-player format, said Ray Leos, former secretary general of the federation, is "slightly faster and more entertaining" than the traditional 15-a- side play.
The Cambodian Federation of Rugby is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 with the goal of developing rugby in Cambodia.
Games start at 8 a.m. on both days. Entrance is free.