Education minister Hang Chuon Naron addressing the ministry’s annual meeting on April 10. Heng Chivoan
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has highlighted the results of its sweeping sporting sector reforms of the past decade, noting that Cambodian athletes had recorded remarkable international success.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron shared the results of the reforms at an April 10 meeting to summarise the ministry’s 2022 results and set a working direction for 2023.
“Thanks to the growth our reforms have encouraged, the Kingdom’s athletes have claimed a total of 1,370 medals at 45 international events in the past decade. This includes 681 bronze medals, 363 silver, and most impressively, 326 gold,” he said.
“At world championships, we claimed 39 gold, 52 silver, and 65 bronze medals. At the Asian championships, Cambodia won 77 gold, 77 silver and 127 bronze,” he added.
In addition to the impressive medal haul, Chuon Naron drew attention to the impressive training regime that the ministry has put in place ahead of the upcoming 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games 2023.
Ouk Sithicheat, director-general of the ministry’s Directorate General of Sports, said the SEA Games, which will be held from May 5-17, will feature 36 sports with 584 events, in addition to the demonstration sport of teqball, where no medals will be awarded.
“The majority of contests will take place at 13 sites in Phnom Penh, although four other provinces will host some exciting events. Siem Reap will be home to long distance running and mountain biking, while boat races will be held in Kampot. Kep will host the triathlon, while Preah Sihanouk will be home to sailing, jet skiing and beach volleyball,” he explained.
The ASEAN nations – including hosts Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Vietnam – are expected to send around 8,000 athletes to the games.
“Hosting the SEA Games and the ASEAN Para Games has great benefits for Cambodian society. It promotes the development of sports, culture and tourism,” said Sithicheat.
“These events have provided the perfect motivation to develop our social infrastructure. They also serve to unite the people of the nation behind one common cause. Through encouraging participation in sports, we teach mutual respect and solidarity. The games are also a heaven-sent opportunity to promote the Kingdom on the international stage and build diplomatic ties,” he concluded.
