The Chinese-owned CN19 Boxing Club has announced plans for a five-story international-standard boxing arena in the Preah Sihanouk provincial capital. The Sihanoukville project will occupy almost 5,000 square metres of land, with an investment of up to $3 million. It aims to promote Kun Khmer and attract more tourists and investors to the province.
Mr. Tao, owner of the CN19 Club, has discussed the project with Khov Chhay, president of the Kun Khmer Federation (KKF). On August 31, Chay also visited the proposed site in Sihanoukville and held direct talks with Tao about his plans.
According to the federation, Tao intends to use the new arena to host major international Kun Khmer events, while also promoting the sport to foreign tourists.
The initiative will especially target Chinese visitors and investors living in Preah Sihanouk and across China, encouraging them to visit Cambodia for entertainment and tourism.
Chhay explained that the CN19 Club currently trains more than 10 fighters, and welcomes foreign tourists and investors for fitness training. With growing foreign interest in Preah Sihanouk, Tao has now moved to a second phase, the creation of a full-scale arena.
He believed that the multi-million project would bring significant benefits to the province.
“It will become a venue for large-scale international competitions, serving tourists, investors and workers in Preah Sihanouk — many of whom are foreigners, particularly Chinese. This will help showcase Kun Khmer and elevate Cambodian cultural heritage,” he said.
“If the arena is completed as planned, it will greatly support the promotion of Kun Khmer both locally and internationally. Preah Sihanouk is already one of Cambodia’s most famous tourist destinations, with beautiful beaches that attract millions of visitors each year. An international-standard arena here could host major events that draw tourists and investors, while promoting Kun Khmer abroad and boosting tourism and investment in Cambodia,” he added.
Beyond this project, the federation also plans to organise events in China. Recently, several Chinese boxing clubs agreed to introduce Kun Khmer training and open Kun Khmer gyms there. Chhay himself attended the opening of some of the clubs.
“We will expand cooperation between the Chinese and Cambodian markets. That means we will not only organise events in Preah Sihanouk and across Cambodia, but also in China, in collaboration with our Chinese partners,” he noted.
