The leadership of the Cambodian SEA Games delegation has established a special intervention team to monitor, assess situations and manage Cambodian athletes in order to ensure their safety and provide immediate responses should a crisis occur during the 33rd SEA Games, to be hosted in Thailand from December 9–20.
According to a November 25 statement issued by the General Department of Sports under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Cambodia is prepared to repatriate its sporting delegates should any serious incident occur.
The department laid out several key principles explaining Cambodia’s decision to send its sports delegation to participate in the games, while also assuring concerned members of the public that the intervention team will closely monitor the situation and provide regular updates.
It noted that the SEA Games are held under the regulations of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), based on the ASEAN Sports Charter for member nations. The event is not controlled solely by the host country.
As Cambodia adheres to international sports principles and the ASEAN Sports Charter, it can rely on the SEAGF Council, which has mechanisms for resolving disputes involving the Olympic Committee Secretary-General, national Olympic committees and other stakeholders.
The special intervention team will maintain communication with Thai authorities. In addition, a comprehensive safety plan for athletes and crisis management has been developed.
The team will implement strict guidance and security measures to ensure safety during travel, stay, and competitions. Officials will be present at all events, and in the event of irregular incidents, complaints will be filed on the spot.
Should a serious crisis develop, the team will initiate procedures to repatriate the Cambodian delegation. In addition, athletes whose competitions have concluded will be sent back to Cambodia promptly.
The statement noted that the team’s participation also plays a vital role in diplomatic efforts to uphold Cambodia’s national prestige on the international stage and to reaffirm that the Kingdom is a peaceful and developing nation.
Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), shared his views on Cambodia’s participation in the Thai games.
He noted that as a member of the SEAGF and the regional Olympic movement, Cambodia is obliged to take part in multisport events.
Crucially, the Olympic Charter opposes all forms of discrimination and avoids political, religious, ethnic or social pressure — promoting unity, friendship and mutual understanding.
Medals won are SEAGF medals, not the property of the host nation, he noted.
He explained that not participating would mean violating the Olympic and SEAGF charters, while joining for reasons outside these principles would also draw international criticism or sanctions.
Chamroeun acknowledged that some Cambodians disapprove of sending the delegation due to safety concerns, which is understandable. However, he posed several questions.
“If Cambodia must attend a bilateral meeting in Thailand, should the country refuse? If ASEAN holds a summit in Thailand, should Cambodia not participate despite formal invitations?” he asked.
He also offered examples, noting that Cambodia recently sent representatives to a beauty pageant in Thailand and female wheelchair athletes for a para-sports event — both returned safely. Years ago, despite the severe North–South Korean conflict, North Korea still sent athletes to the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
The Kingdom has announced that it will send 332 athletes to compete in 21 sports, with football qualifiers beginning on December 3.
