For many years, Cambodia has been applying for the inclusion of its traditional martial art bokator on the UNESCO World Heritage List. But so far, the Kingdom has not achieved this goal. Still, officials say that there are some positive signs in the submission process. Cambodia has worked hard on the latest application and expects to receive good news from UNESCO’s assessors by the end of this year. Bokator is a martial art that was created by the ancient Khmer people to defend themselves and to fight wild beasts. According to an ancient legend, one of the earliest masters went…
Author: Chhorn Norn
Sports play a very important diplomatic role and can bring nations together in a way that politics cannot, said a Cambodian top sport official. Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of both the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), made the comment as he explained in depth the meaningful benefits that society receives through sports. Chamroeun, who plays the most important role in organising the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 in Cambodia, is well aware of the importance of using sports for diplomacy, and said this was why the largest countries in the world spent…
General Neth Savoeun, National Police chief and president of the Volleyball Federation of Cambodia urged all divisions to work together and be determined to demonstrate their pride in the nation by claiming gold at next year’s historic Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which Cambodia will host for the first time. Savoeun considered the bronze medal win at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam in May as a sign that the Kingdom had broken its 40-year run of underperforming. He added that the Cambodian performance had left some of its neighbours unhappy. “The history of Cambodian volleyball spans 40 years, but…
General Sao Sokha, National Military Police commander and president of the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC), compared the state of football in Cambodia in the early 2000s to a rudderless boat. Sports, like so many other cultural activities, were all but eradicated by the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime. Back in 2006, the federation under Sokha’s leadership began to draft rules and form partnerships to renew the development of football in the Kingdom. Thanks to their efforts, football – by far the most popular sport in the country – has gone on to play a significant role in building society. Sokha…
ASEAN member states consider the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be hosted by Cambodia in 2023 as the bloc’s most significant sporting and tourism event post-pandemic, according to Minister of Tourism Thong Khon. Khon – who also serves as president of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and permanent vice-president of the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) – was speaking at a June 23 press conference on the biennial multi-sport event and Para Games for disabled athletes. “[We] must not underestimate its potential significance … The work of making the games a success involves not just…
With the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be hosted by Cambodia approaching, a high-profile meeting of the SEA Games Federation Council, set to be attended by representatives of all ASEAN nations, will be held in Phnom Penh on July 11-13. The Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) and the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) will host the meeting on the biennial multi-sport event, with the council’ sister event – the ASEAN Para Games – held alongside. CAMSOC officials confirmed that Prime Minister Hun Sen would present special opening remarks to the ASEAN representatives to ensure they received…
As the oldest futsal team in Cambodia, Ov Mal FC is focused and committed to their biggest goal yet –winning the National Futsal Cup and earning the chance to compete on the international stage, representing the Kingdom. Founded in 2012, Ov Mal has transformed themselves from an amateur team who played for fun and health into one of the strongest teams in the country. They regularly compete for domestic titles organised by private companies. According to Cheab Ly Chhay, coach and president of the club, so far the team has won 21 private titles. Ly Chhay told the Post on…
The leaders of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) plan to turn the Phnom Penh International Half Marathon, a 21km race, into a full 42km marathon. They will use the event to promote the capital to the world, just as London and New York have done with their respective marathons. NOCC president Thong Khon, who is also the tourism minister, said before the race on Sunday morning: “I warmly welcome the presence of the national and international athletes who have chosen to support the sports movement in such large numbers. Please use the race to honour the Queen Mother.…
After receiving permission from the Asian Volleyball Confederation, the Visakha Volleyball Club signed a contract to transfer its best player – Voeurn Veasna – to the Long AN Volleyball Club in Vietnam for a two-week stretch. Regarding Veasna’s fee paid by the Long An Club, secretary-general of the Volleyball Federation of Cambodia, Ang Serey Piseth, said that it is in the five figure range and will instantly make Veasna the highest paid volleyball player in the Kingdom’s history. “In 2017, our players competed in Indonesia and Thailand and both rewarded them financially and with other benefits, but at that time…
Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, who leads the Cambodian national team as manager, used the occasion of his 36th birthday to share his experience and inspire the young Kouprey, urging them to develop their capabilities further in order to succeed in their careers. “I want everyone to be confident in themselves, their lives and careers, which means we must all be hungry for success in our careers,” Honda told the Cambodian players and coaches. “When I was young, I had a big dream that I would play in the World Cup and become a champion,” the former Japanese striker told…