Cambodia counts down to dual regional games hosting

The organisers of the 32nd South East Asian (SEA) Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games are counting to the opening of the event, with just 80 days until the opening for the first of the two historic events is held in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

In recent days, the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) has said it considers the media and volunteers an important part in promoting both Games, and making the biennial multi-sport events a success.

In a recent meeting to discuss the registration of local and international journalists at Morodok Techo National Stadium, Phos Sovann, Head of the Cambodian Ministry of Information’s General Department of Information and Broadcasting who also serves on CAMSOC’s information technology committee, said the registration of journalists and issuance of media credentials will begin from March.

CAMSCO Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun said he considers the media to be a mirror to reflect the reality of what Cambodia is today and promote the country to the world.

He said people around the world are preparing to focus on Cambodia because it is hosting the 2023 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, marking the first time the country has hosted such major international sport events.

Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, who is also permanent Vice-President of CAMSOC, expressed his hope that Cambodia will have many volunteers register to help make the SEA Games successful.

At a recent press conference on the official recruitment of volunteers, Minister Khon said that CAMSOC needs about 7,000 volunteers to serve at the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, which are expected to welcome 7,000 to 8,000 sport delegates.

A celebratory event was held at Phnom Penh’s Morodok Techo National Stadium in January to mark 100 days until the Games.

Previously, Cambodian authorities staged ceremonies marking the 1,000-day, 500-day and 200-day countdown towards the 2023 Games.

The 32nd SEA Games are being held from 5th to 17th May while the 12th ASEAN Para Games run from 3rd to 9th June.

The 31st SEA Games, originally due to have been held in 2021, where held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi from 12th to 23rd May last year.

Image: The Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh will be the centrepiece of the 32nd South East Asian (SEA) Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games.