PHNOM PENH – Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee and National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, says he is confident about the Kingdom’s preparations for hosting the 32nd SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.

Chamroeun said the committee – in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and other government institutions – had worked hard to ensure preparations were on track.

“In 2022, we had a lot of success in expanding our abilities to organise tournaments and officiate events,” he said.

“We also found excellent results on the sporting field, most notably with our record medal haul at the SEA Games in Vietnam.

“Cambodian athletes returned home with nine golds, 13 silvers and 41 bronzes. These 63 medals represent our most successful Games to date and bode well for our performance as hosts.”

The well organised 3rd National Games and 1st National Para Games in 2022, which ran from November 19-30, were great indicators of the Kingdom’s potential as hosts, with the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies giving a taste of the show with which  Cambodia will wow visitors in May.

Chamroeun also expressed pleasure at the media coverage of the occasion.

“The national sporting competitions were a fantastic spectacle. They were held in accordance with the spirit of fair play, with no doping,” he said.

“Each of the national sports federations, and the Cambodian Olympic movement, emerged with enhanced reputations and were internationally recognised.”

He added that the early October 41st General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia, held in Phnom Penh, was attended by more than 300 delegates from 55 countries.

Its success had been an important driving force behind attracting the full support of the international community for Cambodia’s hosting of the 2023 Games.

“Hosting the General Assembly of the Asian Sports Council earned more respect for the Kingdom and gave the leaders of sporting bodies around the world a chance to understand the rapid development of a peaceful Cambodia,” he added.

“We now have their full support as we prepare to host the 2023 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, as well as the 2029 Asian Youth Games. All these events have contributed to the growing confidence of the Kingdom’s sporting administrators.”

Chamroeun urged the Kingdom’s athletes to use the five months remaining before the Games to train as hard as they could and focus their minds and bodies.

“As a former Olympian, I remind the athletes to work hard, be patient and endure the hardships, both physical and mental. This is an incredible opportunity to win glory for yourselves and for the Kingdom,” he said.

“Focus on your goals and focus on making sure that these historic events promote the well-earned reputation of our nation on the international stage.”