Of tennis and siblings bonds

Regina Bawitlung may not be one of the favourites to win at the 30^th edition of the Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup, an ITF J30 event, taking place at the Morodok Techo Tennis Complex starting this Saturday.

The 15-year-old lass has no pretensions on winning the tournament either. All she certainly wants is to be able survive long enough so that her elder brother would be around to see her playing.

“He is flying in from India and I hope to make it to the third round at least for him to watch me play,” said Regina.

Her brother Daniel is currently an under-graduate in India and has been an integral part in her life.

Such is the bond between the siblings that when asked what was her expectations at the tournament, she said to make sure her brother watches her play.

This will be Regina’s first major tournament in Cambodia since moving to Phnom Penh earlier this year.

Her father is none other than the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, who assumed charge here in January.

Born in Belgium, she has been traveling with her family to different countries where her father had been assigned to. She has been quietly building her tennis competency in Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Egypt and now in Cambodia.

“In some places there were not many players to train with and I have been training under different coaches,” said Regina, who is now training under the guidance of Chhinda Som.

She added the changes in coaches also meant that she had to change various aspects of her game including grip and stance.

Regina, who is currently studying in Grade 10 at the Northbridge International School, has won two titles in India, including the All-India Tennis Association’s U-14 National Rankings tournament.

Despite her young age, Regina is much more matured with what she hopes to achieve in tennis.

“I don’t think I have the mentality to be able to play for the country. But what I do want to do in the future is to teach other kids to play tennis,’ she said with deep conviction.

Regina, herself, was introduced to the game by her grandfather, who once represented the Indian Police team.

“He had me holding the racquet when I was still very young and started my interest in tennis,” added Regina.

Playing at the Tep Kunnah Memorial Cup will be continuation of a tennis journey that is not only about success but also more importantly strengthening the family bond for Regina.

The Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup, has been a regular event in the Tennis Cambodia calendar, in honour of the late tennis legend, who is also father of current Cambodia Tennis secretary general and ATF Vice President, Tep Rithivit.

“My dad wanted me to be a top tennis player, but I could not fulfill his dreams. But I am making it up by helping more kids play the game as an administrator and creating this tournament in his memory,” said Rithivit.

The Cup is an integral part of the efforts of the federation to continue to grow the sport at both the local and international stage by bringing world tennis to Cambodia.

Apart from Cambodian players, the tournament will also see junior players from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Chinese-Taipei, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Japan, Great Britain, Norway, Brunei, Russia, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Austria and Bangladesh.