Cambodia Spends Over $6 Million in SEA Games and Para Games Rewards
Minister of National Defence Tea Banh, who is also the president of the Cambodian SEA Games-ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committees (CAMSOC-CAMAPGOC) gives the reward to medalists. Photo: ThmeyThmey
- By Mom Pitu
- June 27, 2023 2:15 PM
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia spent nearly $6.66 million on bonuses for coaches, assistant coaches, and athletes who won gold, silver, and bronze medals on behalf of Cambodia at the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games.
Minister of National Defence Tea Banh, who is also the president of the Cambodian SEA Games-ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committees (CAMSOC-CAMAPGOC) said on June 27 that Cambodia spent more than 27 billion riel (around $6.6 million) in rewards to coaches, assistant coaches, and athletes who have won gold, silver and bronze medals in the sporting events.
The multi-sports regional competitions were held in Cambodia for the first time in the country’s history in May and June 2023.
Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of CAMSOC and CAMAPGOC, previously confirmed that the government would provide incentives to all Cambodian athletes who won medals. Foreign athletes who competed under the Cambodian flag are treated equally.
Athletes who stepped on the podium received 40 million riel (around $10,000) for a gold medal, 30 million riel (about $7,500) for silver, and 16 million riel (about $4,000) for a bronze medal.
In the 2023 SEA Games, Team Cambodian earned a total of 282 medals, including 81 golds, 74 silvers, and 127 bronzes. The ASEAN Para Games Cambodia Team earned a total of 71 medals, including 9 golds, 18 silvers, and 44 bronzes.
While the final cost of the competition is still to be unveiled, the Cambodian government is believed to have spent at least $131 million to host the two regional sporting events.
The initial budget of around $100 million was exceeded after the government decided to grant all spectators free access to the competitions - thus ensuring maximum visibility for the events - and waived the usual $50 per day per person fee for hosting foreign delegations.
The cost of building the Morodok Techo National Stadium, estimated at $168 million, is not included in the event budget, as its construction was made possible by a subsidy from the Chinese government.
