• Society

32nd SEA Games End with Spectacle to Remember

• By Teng Yalirozy
• May 18, 2023 2:00 PM

PHNOM PENH –  Downpours and thunderstorms could not prevent a spectacular closing ceremony for the 32nd SEA Games, with 60,000 spectators packing the Morodok Techo National Stadium.

Just before the ceremony, the sky darkened and the rain started to pour down. Yet, spectators were still seen marching towards the stadium.

Some held umbrellas. Some were dressed in raincoats and others just got soaking wet.

In the stadium, the performance carried on despite the rain, which could not stop performers in traditional Khmer costumes from providing the best entertainment.

The rain stopped and at around 7pm and the ceremony began with the arrival of Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife.

The Cambodian national anthem played, following by fireworks and shows.

In his speech, the PM said the ASEAN Solidarity Framework was credited for the successful hosting of the 32nd SEA Games, which Cambodia hosted for the first time in 64 years.

He thanked the governments in the ASEAN member states for sending athletes to compete in the games.

“I consider this a part of ASEAN’s strong sense of solidarity, mutual understanding, and friendship, and promoting ASEAN integration,” he said.

Tea Banh, who heads the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), said the organization of the Games had brought Cambodia to the forefront of the international arena and proved that Cambodia was a country of wonder and civilization.

“I pay the gratitude to the International Olympic Movement for supporting and facilitating the conduct of sporting events in principle,” he said during the closing ceremony.

President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and vice-president of CAMSOC Thong Khon said for the past 12 days, athletes from 11 countries had performed well in line with Olympic values.

“On the other hand, this important sporting event not only provides an opportunity for all athletes to compete in their nations but also shows the values of friendship and solidarity of the members of the Southeast Asian sports family,” he said in the ceremony.

Three of them also asked for pardon for any technical errors and mistakes which had occurred during the games.

Cambodian vovinam athlete Pal Chhor Raksmy who won four gold, one silver and one bronze, along with Singapore swimmer Quah Ting Wen, who won six gold and two silver, received the best athlete awards at the ceremony.

The Games could not have been possible without the 6,000 young volunteers who were the backbone of the event. Athletes from 11 countries and the volunteers paraded to greet and farewell the audience.

After the parade and performances, Hun Sen declared the end of the Games and the torch was slowly extinguished.

Later, the Games flag was presented to Thailand. The next Games will take place in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla from December 7–19, 2025.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen also briefly disclosed the intention to host the game again in 2043.

The ceremony was closed with about five minutes of fireworks, marking the 32nd SEA Games as a historical event for the country which the citizens will remember and celebrate with pride for many years.