Cambodian National Standing Volleyball Team Coach Christian Zepp received a hero's welcome on his return to Cambodia in November. In the first of a series of articles, Coach Zepp gives his thoughts on Cambodia, his team and his hopes.

In 2007, you led the Cambodian Team to World #3. What are your most enduring memories of the first World Cup Cambodia ever hosted?

Most memories gather around people supporting our team during difficult games, seeing our team performing cohesively on the court at all times and fighting for every ball. It was great to see the effort every player expressed. But the most enduring memories are definitely those four sets of our last game against Poland. Winning this game – and thus winning the Bronze Medal – was one of the numerous outstanding moments during the World Cup. Seeing all players enjoying themselves afterwards was worth every minute of hard work.(…and of course seeing my girlfriend inside the stadium prior to the opening game for the first time in three months.)

What have you been doing since 2007?

Actually, first I have worked in a Rehabilitation and Sports Centre with injured athletes and as an Athletic Trainer with some Formula 1 and Rally Dakar Drivers / Teams for one year. I am now working as a research assistant and PhD-student at the Institute of Psychology at the German Sports University Cologne since April 2009.  Training and coaching a womens volleyball team is as much as part of my life as working for the city sports federation both in my hometown Frechen.

Now you’re back in Phnom Penh in preparation for the 2009 World Cup, what differences have you noticed with the athletes and team in general compared to 2007?

The athletes are much fitter and show definitely better volleyball skills than at the time I started working with them in 2007. One truly can see that most of them worked hard during the past two years and even improved a lot. Moreover, we have some new young players in the team who have been taught, trained and coached by National Team members. All of them, either older or younger players are much more committed and definitely more professional in their attitudes and behaviours than in 2007. It is great fun working with them, because we do not have to focus on the basics only, as we did in 2007. We have a great opportunity to improve our game a lot by working for example on new tactics.

Going into the 2009 World Cup, what are your main strategies for getting the best out of your athletes?

Actually, I try to create a cohesive, disciplined and committed team again. In 2007 all players worked well together and that’s my goal again this time. But most importantly I am putting the whole team into some intense training, which is being held at the Olympic Stadium. Working on basic volleyball skills to improve the technique and the understanding of the game and specific aspects (which I won’t tell here) are important for us.

What do you think are the greatest strengths of the current Cambodian squad?

One of our greatest strengths this time is definitely the team we have. Some players are well experienced playing in the national team and know how to behave in difficult situations. But additionally, we even have added some great young players to the team, who make the team stronger and faster than it was before. Again, I won’t tell our strengths in detail – shall the participating nations come and see what our Cambodian squad is like!

As always, expectations are very high on your return; what are your realistic predictions for the upcoming tournament?

As in 2007 our first realistic goal is winning a medal again – which means achieving at least third place. But this time I really do think that we can make it to the Grand Final – and as soon as we have achieved this, nothing is impossible. Especially if the crowd is supporting our team again as they did in 2007 – and I am sure they will. Some might say it is impossible for Cambodia to win the World Cup against Germany, Slovakia or Poland. Do you know what I say? Let’s do it. Let’s do the impossible!

This is the second time Cambodia has hosted the World Cup – what impact do you think hosting such tournaments has on public perceptions of disability, national pride and development?

Since 2007, the public perception of disability definitely has changed a lot. Many people on the streets cheer the national team and its athletes, come and watch our training sessions at the Olympic Stadium and at Khien Kleang regularly and are curious about any news around the team. In my opinion, the 2007 World Cup was essential to put disabled people back into the minds of society and made them more be part of society. Especially when you look at the live-to-air broadcast of the league games as well as of the upcoming World Cup. Which countries broadcasts disabled sports live-to-air? I know none. Again, looking at the people cheering and following the national team, our athletes help to enhance national pride. Being the current No. 3 country in the world in Standing Volleyball is a great achievement for the team – and the whole nation of course.

Hosting a World Cup means that many people from different countries are travelling to Cambodia. Most of them like the country, the people and the whole mood in Cambodia and come back. Maybe once, maybe twice – or even more often. They tell their friends – and they start travelling here. It is not only the economics around the World Cup – it goes way beyond this for this country. More World Cups should be hosted in countries like Cambodia. But there is not only development in the economic sector – it is way more than that. Developing a new national pride, developing new infrastructures, developing a new awareness of sport and developing a new perception of disability (in the case of Cambodia) are important aspects that have to be considered when giving a World Cup or similar to countries such as Cambodia.

A very good example for all these aspects is that the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Sen offered the National Volleyball Team of the Disabled the same amounts of money as able-bodied athletes receive in case they become 3^rd, 2^nd or even 1^st place at world championships. Disability, Standing Volleyball and the National Team are an integral part of Cambodian society today – better than prior to the 2007 World Cup. Just imagine the development of disability, sport and society after winning gold at the World Cup!

If Cambodia wins Gold, what will be your next objective with the team?

I don’t like this question because it pretty much sounds like a “What if” question. Firstly, we have to focus on our training and a very good preparation period. Afterwards, we need to focus on our opponents, on following our strategies and tactics, and on every single game. In case we reach the Grand Final, I am positive to show all the other nations, the WOVD officials and the Cambodian people inside the stadium and at home in front of their TVs great volleyball. And if we win three sets in this game – my next goal would be defending the title next time again. Maybe we can contribute with such an achievement to the improvement of Standing Volleyball programs in the SEA region, so that Standing Volleyball will be reconsidered to be part of the Paralympic family. Because this is where it belongs!