Cambodia is hosting the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) Federation Council Meeting of ASEAN Countries. The regional sport forum, scheduled to run from April 8 to 10, will discuss the scope of work needed ahead of Cambodia’s historic first hosting of the 2023 SEA Games.
The three-day summit, to be held at Siem Reap town’s Borei Angkor Resort and Spa, will focus on five agenda items and attempt to secure the support of all 10 ASEAN nations for the Kingdom’s preparations.
This is according to Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Organising Committee for the 32nd SEA Games 2023 (CAMSOC). Deputy prime minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Banh – as Chairman of CAMSOC – and Minister of Tourism Thong Khon – vice-president – will preside over the meeting.
Chamroeun told the Post on April 7: “The first agenda of this meeting is to demonstrate the level of hospitality of Cambodia – as we assume the chair of the SEA Sports Council. We want to introduce the participating countries to each other and make sure we build relationships that will ensure the success of our two year term as leaders.”
“Our second agenda is to ensure their support for the 2023 SEA Games. We want to secure assurances of full participation in all of the events that we will include in the games. As a part of the second agenda, we want all countries in the SEA Games to have support for Cambodia to host the 2023 Games because full and complete support is the success of the SEA Games so we would like to ask these member countries to help provide the obligations of full participation in all sports that Cambodia must include in this SEA Games,” he said.
For its third agenda, Chamroeun indicated that Cambodia would appreciate technical support with the introduction of the events that are drawn from its national identity. In order to successfully add bokator, Khmer boxing and Khmer chess to the games, Cambodia would like the support of the ASEAN nations.
Sports expert Chamroeun added: “We want all countries to help promote the SEA Games by showcasing Cambodia’s hosting as our fourth agenda. Even though it is our first time hosting, we want to do it well. Of course, should we find ourselves unprepared, we will ask for understanding and tolerance from the participants, but the government is committed to making it a success.”
“This meeting is aimed at guaranteeing that participants enjoy our hosting of the games and have positive experiences. If we want to make every event memorable, we have to be sure that there are enough participants, so we are seeking the commitment of full participation from all ASEAN nations. This will honour us as hosts, so it is important we secure it as soon as possible,” he added.
