Members of the Cambodian squad heading to the 17th Asian Games in the South Korean city of Incheon were given an official briefing on the Games protocol at the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia headquarters last Friday.

NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun explained in great detail to the athletes the do’s and don’ts that they ought to follow during Asia’s biggest sporting spectacle from September 19 to October 4.

The 39-member Cambodian delegation, with the exception of the athletics team, which is currently training in Japan, will leave for Incheon from Phnom Penh on September 16.

“There are many first timers in this squad and we have to take them through these procedures step by step to give them a fully rounded games experience,” Vath Chamroeun told the Post.

“Our national pride will be at stake and so we want our athletes to strictly follow the travel, dress and participation codes and be fully aware of their conduct and responsibilities during the competition.

“NOCC is thankful to the support extended by Angkor Beer and NagaWorld for this mission to Incheon,” added the secretary, while also announcing attractive cash incentives from these partners for medal winning athletes.

The trip to South Korea will mark a milestone in the history of Cambodia’s participation in Asian Games. The Kingdom celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Asiad debut at Manila in 1954 after New Delhi hosted the inaugural edition in 1951, following up on an idea mooted by India’s first prime minister, the late Jawaharlal Nehru.

The honour of winning Cambodia’s first ever Asian Games medal, a bronze in athletics, went to You Chan Hong in Jakarta in 1962.

Cambodia’s most successful medal hunt was in 1970 when the Kingdom won four medals – two silver and two bronze – in neighbouring Thailand. It was to be the last Asiad Cambodia took part in until 1994.

The 1970 haul included silver medals won by boxers Khiev Soeun and Ouk Savoeun, a bronze medal by swimmer Phat Sam On and a team bronze in women’s volleyball.