CAMBODIA TAKES BIG STEP FORWARD FOR SEA GAMES HOSTING

The organising committee of the 32nd South East Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia, CAMSOC, held two days of meetings, 100-day countdown celebrations and venue visits on January 25-26 for delegates from the 11 south-east Asian nations.

The programme began with the first Chef de Mission meeting at the Garden City Hotel, Phnom Penh on Wednesday, January 25.

Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, chaired the CDM meeting and introduced the various CAMSOC departments planning for Cambodia’s historic first hosting of the SEA Games from May 5-17.

This included a detailed timeline for the NOCs regarding sport entries, delegation registration meetings, team draws and the team welcome ceremony at the Athletes Village on May 4.

The Torch Run will start at the famous Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province on March 21 and travel through all countries in the SEA region before heading back to Cambodia for the opening ceremony on May 5.

CAMSOC also provided an update on the number of events. With 304 men’s events, 229 women’s events and 48 mixed, there will be a total of 581 gold medals on offer, plus two demonstration sports.

Regarding the opening and closing ceremony at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, delegations will be restricted to one Chef de Mission plus a maximum of 50 athletes and officials for the parade of nations.

Summing up the meeting, Vath said: “The 32nd SEA Games is only 100 days away and I would like to thank all our brothers and sisters in the region for helping us in our preparations and organisation. With your continued support and guidance, I am sure we can make the first SEA Games in Cambodia a big success.”