The Cambodian Volleyball Federation (CVF) has announced changes to the rules of the 2024 Sar Kheng Volleyball Cup, explaining that the new regulations aim to ensure that all participating clubs have a fair opportunity to compete for the prestigious title.

Aing Serey Piseth, federation secretary-general, revealed the new rules during the draw ceremony for this year’s competition, held at the Chip Mong 271 Megamall on November 28.

The new rules mean each team can have just two players from the national team or those with “A” level qualifications on the court at any one time. Each team can field only one foreign player, while the remaining three players must be either “B” level or youth players.

Serey Piseth explained the rationale behind the changes.

“Most of the national representatives play for the Visakha Club. In the past, they have dominated the tournament, and we didn’t want this trend to continue. Our goal is to give other clubs a chance to compete and possibly win the trophy as well,” he said.

This rule change is part of broader efforts to offer young players more opportunities to showcase their talent. Previously, many clubs favoured established players, limiting the exposure of younger, less experienced athletes. With this adjustment, the CVF hopes to strengthen the development of youth players by giving them more court time at the club level.

“In the past, even though some older players had declining performance, coaches still trusted them and didn’t give youth players a chance. After the change this year, I am confident that young players will get more opportunities to play and develop their skills,” added Serey Piseth.

The draw for this year’s Sar Kheng Volleyball Cup took place on November 28. Chhorn Norn

This year’s competition has attracted 31 teams, which are divided into eight pools. 

The group-stage matches will begin on December 10, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the Round of 16 on December 18. The competition will then continue with the quarterfinals on December 20, semifinals on December 21 and the final on December 22.

Serey Piseth noted the record number of teams in this year’s tournament, suggesting this reflects a growing interest in the sport. 

The rule changes, he said, were designed to ensure that every team has a fair chance of winning, encouraging greater participation and improving the overall quality of the competition. This shift is expected to inspire confidence among club managers and coaches, motivating them to further develop their players.

“We want every club, in all 25 provinces and municipalities, to have an equal opportunity to win this cup. As clubs grow stronger, I believe they will invest more in developing their players, and when clubs are strong, we can select even better players for the national team,” he explained.

He concluded by reflecting on the long-term vision of the CVF, which aims to enhance the skillset of youth players and increase their overall performance. This aligns with the philosophy of Sar Sokha, president of the federation, who wants to develop a strong pipeline of future national representatives.