Sihanoukville’s Sokha Beach Resort was the venue for the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Sailing (SEAS) Championship 2021, which was presided over by HE Dr Thong Khon, minister of Tourism and president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC).

Also in attendance were Preah Sihanouk governor Kuoch Chamroeun and NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun, who were joined by the 37 competitors from the three nations taking part – Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Those at the ceremony were treated to Cambodian culture with a performance of Apsara dancing, as the sailors from Singapore and Malaysia, along with support teams, technical staff and officials enjoyed Cambodia’s famous hospitality.

The SEAS Championship 2021, which ran from December 12-17, was jointly organised by the Cambodia Sailing Federation and Singapore Sailing Federation.

With the motto “United Sailing with Passion”, the first ever international sailing event held by Cambodia was staged as the Kingdom gears up to host the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The NOCC’s Chamroeun said it is aimed for the regional sailing competition to be held annually as plans for the creation of a Southeast Asian sailing federation gather momentum.

“By co-hosting the competition with Singapore, we are confident of other members following and the SEAS Championship continuing every year.

“While it is unfortunate that other nations couldn’t take part due to their quarantining regulations, by holding this event with the participation of Singapore and Malaysia, we are sending a strong message to the rest of the region,” said the former Olympic wrestler, who competed for Cambodia at the 1996 Atlanta Games. PHOTOS HENG CHIVOAN