Prime Minister Hun Sen urges all relevant institutions to work together to study the feasibility and draw up plans for state subsidised insurance and a disability payment scheme to cover athletes who become injured or disabled while competing for their country.
Addressing a gathering of 4,264 national team athletes in Phnom Penh on April 3, Hun Sen noted that the Ministry of Health would be providing free medical treatment at the National Techo Santepheap Hospital to all athletes who sustain injuries during their upcoming 32nd SEA Games matches and competitions.
“From now on, we have a place to treat our athletes to ensure that they receive full care.
“I also urge all relevant institutions, especially the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia [NOCC], to work together to review some of the conditions associated with certain sports where people most frequently become disabled during competitions and see if we can provide them with benefits” he stated.
“Our troops, police officers, when there is a mission and they are wounded or disabled, they all receive money. But for the athletes when they compete to represent our national honour or compete where their safety is our responsibility, when they are wounded or disabled, how do we formulate a similar policy for them?” he added.
The premier praised the national team players, coaches and officials at each national sports federation for their efforts to develop their sport in the hope of achieving excellence during the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games this coming May.
He also thanked the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games organising committees (CAMSOC-CAMAPGOC), ministries, institutions and relevant authorities for their joint efforts to make the historic events a success.
With the SEA Games approaching on May 5, Hun Sen urged everyone present to maintain solidarity and respect the need to continue to work with discipline and follow their assigned roles, duties and responsibilities.
Hun Sen requested that the national sports federations and their leaders, coaches and supporters encourage the athletes in the final stages of preparing for these competitions to increase their morale and confidence.
He also asked that during the events, the residents of Phnom Penh use buses or carpool to reduce traffic congestion and ease the transport of the sports delegates, athletes and international guests who will be in town and will need to reach their competition venues on time.
