Phnom Penh [Cambodia], April 27: Cambodia is ready to host the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for the first time in 64 years from May 5 to 17, a top official said on Wednesday.
Tourism Minister Thong Khon, president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, said the kingdom is looking forward to greeting all participants and spectators to the Games.
"I look forward to welcoming the athletes, coaches, officials, and all international guests to our beautiful purpose-built MorodokTecho National Stadium in Phnom Penh, and to Cambodia, the kingdom of wonder," he said in a news release.
"I have no doubt that we shall demonstrate to the world that Southeast Asian athletes can compete at the highest levels," said Khon, who also serves as the president of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) Council.
The news release said the upcoming Games will bring together over 5,000 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries, which have a combined population of over 675 million.
Cambodian Prime Minister SamdechTecho Hun Sen will open the Games on May 5, the news release said, adding that the slogan for the 32nd SEA Games is "Sport: Live in Peace" and the logo for the Games represents Angkor Wat, Cambodia's most famous tourist attraction and UNESCO heritage site.
"This is the first time that Cambodia will host this historic, biennial, multi-sport event," it said. "Athletes will compete in 589 events across 38 sports, including soccer, gymnastics, golf, martial arts, esports and aquatics."
Last week, a large-scaled sports village was put into official use, according to the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC).
Adjacent to the MorodokTecho National Stadium, the village is equipped with about 3,700 beds to accommodate athletes, coaches, referees, judges and sport delegates throughout the Games, the CAMSOC said, adding that some 11 hotels have also been arranged for athletes and sport delegates.
Source: Xinhua
