The Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) has developed protocol as it bolsters efforts in meeting the required levels of hospitality afforded to national and international guests in accordance with the guidance of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The move aims to advance the image of the Kingdom as hosts of the biennial multi-sports event for the first time next year.

The CAMSOC Standing Committee recently held a meeting, led by Minister of Tourism and CAMSOC permanent vice-chairman Thong Khon, to discuss the Protocol and Hospitality Commission after reviewing strategic plans set out by Minister of National Defence and CAMSOC president Tea Banh.

The main agenda of the meeting focused on the protocol team, as they will be the first officials to meet and welcome guests.

After the meeting, CAMSOC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun said the division of labour, roles, duties and responsibilities of the commission have been almost entirely organised.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that winning or losing is one thing, but the most important thing as hosts is to provide warm hospitality and protocols with honour and dignity.

At the September 2 meeting, the common principles were agreed as to what duties, responsibilities and tasks are directly under the responsibility of the Protocol and Hospitality Commission, and what is to be done in collaboration with other CAMSOC sub-committees.

“The most important task is to welcome guests with the right hospitality, clear protocol and unique qualities in accordance with sporting and national obligations, so the division of roles, duties and responsibilities will help all relevant commissions make detailed plans and set duties.

“The rest has already been decided in meetings. We just await acceptance and implementation because the plan has clear roles and responsibilities –what to do and when.

“Schedules, dates and job functions have already been set, so the important thing now is the actual implementation,” said Chamroeun, who is also secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.

He said the division of roles and duties, and the details of the work to be done through the protocol, gave CAMSOC confidence in achieving the levels of honour and prestige to reach the required hospitality standards.

“There is a lot of clarity in the protocol, so this is an important input in providing all the principles that make CAMSOC confident of meeting all high recommendations,” Chamroeun said.