Doeurt Sai: Vietnamese teach Cambodians how to score

'Old master' Muth Ron kicks a shuttlecock from behind his head during a playing session at Phnom Penh's riverside Saturday.

The Phnom Penh Post
Monday, 10 August 2009 '
Dom Field

Cambodia’s premier shuttlecock kickers, or doeurt sai players, receive a visit from their Vietnamese counterparts who teach them a new way to keep score

Top Vietnamese female shuttlecock-kicker Kim Anh, 25, plays an expert shot at Phnom Penh’s riverside Saturday.

Players kick the shuttle from behind their backs with swift strokes, connecting with the soles of their shoes and lofting it high in the air back to their teammates standing opposite. A point is awarded for any kick, but the team gains two for a kick through a large loop made from their outstretched arms, and three for the more difficult shot through a loop made with a single arm and the body. The team is deducted a single point for failing to return the shuttle.

Ros Kimsreng explained that the Cambodian players are benefiting from the sharing of techniques with the visitors, and plan a visit to Ho Chi Minh City in October to take part in a 'friendship match'.

Watching these masters of the game at the weekend was a real treat, especially the chance to view the techniques of one of the 'old masters', 63-year-old Muth Ron, a man who has dedicated his life to the sport.

Having entertained King Sihanouk with his playing in the past, he is a leading authority on the game and its history. Muth Ron, or Om Ron as he is affectionately known, also makes the highest-quality shuttles in Cambodia, beautifully handcrafted from four duck feathers, weighted by recycled plastic discs. Top players will always use his shuttles over cheaper, all-plastic varieties, although many admit the old type made from the scales of the Siamese giant carp - now illegal to use - were better for feel and durability. A genuine Muth Ron shuttle can be purchased at the riverside for 5,000 riels (US$1.18) each.

Muth Ron explained the key to good doeurt sai-playing is a relaxed style, comparing the actions to flowing movements of modern dance or boxing. The various kicks and poses have names derived from the ancient world; imagery referring to dragons swinging their tales, warriors drawing their swords and elephants turning their necks all appear in the descriptions of the more impressive moves.

The game is played in practically every park in the capital, and on many of the nation's streets, but the highest standard can be found on display on Phnom Penh's riverside, near the Royal Palace on Saturday evenings, or at Wat Phnom on Sunday mornings. Mot Ron is almost always there, as are other impressive CSA members, and they welcome an audience. When asked whether the CSA had any intention of forging links with Western federations, Ros Kimsreng insisted that doeurt sai is about having fun, with the association's primary aim to "preserve our traditional game".

The CSA invites member of the public to participate in their daily training sessions between 8am and 2pm at the badminton hall in the Olympic Stadium grounds, but warns that due to work commitments, all the top players are not always there. With popularity growing from the obvious aesthetic appeal of the sport that tests both agility and skill, the CSA is confident of receiving sponsorship to help promote the sport across the Kingdom, and beyond.

Photos by Nick Sells (www.nicksellsphotography.com)