The hosting of SEA Games is an indispensable duty of the ASEAN member countries, and the Kingdom of Cambodia which awaits 64 years for the SEA Games 2023 will wait for the next more than 20 years to celebrate such the auspicious and wonderful regional sports event again.
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, made the remark while presiding over the graduation ceremony of over 3,000 students of the Royal University of Agriculture, Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, and Kampong Cham National Institute of Agriculture, at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre here this morning.
The Cambodian Premier further recalled the time that Cambodia had delayed hosting the SEA Games again and again for the fact that the country had needed capital/budget to accelerate her economy and to build infrastructure like roads, bridges, irrigation systems, hospitals, school buildings, which was totally supported by former Indonesian President H.E. Susilo Bangbang Yudhoyono.
“Once we have ability, we have to do (host the SEA Games). The infrastructure built for the SEA Games will become a heritage for our next generations,” stressed Samdech Techo Hun Sen, adding that national stadiums would become field sites for other regional competitions and destinations for tourists to go sightseeing.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen once again confirmed host Cambodia’s seven-year preparation of SEA Games 2023, and the expense of US$118 million for hosting the ideal regional sports, plus additional US$7-million expenditures for food and accommodation coverage of sports delegates are not a waste as criticised by some milieus.
In this regard, Samdech Techo Hun Sen credited the smooth celebration of SEA Games 2023 to considerate preparation and practice led by Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence and President of Cambodian SEA Games-ASEAN Para Games Organising Committees (CAMSOC-CAMAPGOC), and thoughtfully reserved national budget of US$30 million every year of Ministry of Economy and Finance.
On the occasion, Samdech Techo Prime Minister recalled and expressed his gratitude to Late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk for the construction of National Olympic Stadium, as well as His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, and Her Majesty Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk for their full support of SEA Games organisation.
The Cambodian Premier was also grateful to the Chinse people, particularly Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping for the beautiful Morodok Techo National Stadium, allowing Cambodia to host the SEA Games 2023 solemnly.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen further thanked all stakeholders such as local competent authorities, Cambodian fellow citizens for their wholehearted welcome to foreign guests, well-known artists for their amazingly symmetry performances with digital technology support, and local music companies for their beautiful songs for the SEA Games 2023. He strongly hoped that the event would end successfully with security and order.
Taking the opportunity, Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced additional free entry to Angkor temples in Siem Reap province for the SEA Games 2023 sports delegates after the end of the regional sports competition.
Cambodia is hosting the 32nd SEA Games from May 5 to 17 with the participation of over 12,400 athletes, coaches, and staff from the ten ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse