Southeast Asian Games open in Phnom Penh
The 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games have opened in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh with sporting action already underway.
Athletes from the competing 11 nations - the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus Timor-Leste - tonight paraded through Phnom Penh’s 60,000-seat US$160 million Morodok Techo National Stadium.
With Cambodia hosting the Games for the first time, the more than 11,000 athletes, coaches and delegates are taking part in a host of competitions including athletics, swimming, badminton and football, as well as obstacle racing and jet skiing and more obscure sports such as Kun Lbokator - an ancient Cambodian martial art.
In total 581 medals are on offer, more than at the Olympics.
The Cambodia Government is hoping the SEA Games will have benefits beyond the two weeks the country plays host, with Tourism Minister Thong Khon, who is also President of the National Olympic Committee, stating “the Games will not only promote sports but also boost Cambodia’s tourism in the post-COVID-pandemic era.”
To encourage attendances, tickets for all events have been made available free while all schools and universities will close for a month so students can watch Games competition and subsequent SEA Para Games.
The 2023 SEA Games run until 17th May.
Images: Fireworks erupt above the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh during the opening ceremony for the 2023 SEA Games (top) and th host nation secure a volleyball medal on the first day of competition (below). Images credit Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia.
Related Articles
14th February 2023 - Cambodia counts down to dual regional games hosting
31st January 2023 - 32nd SEA GAMES in Phnom Penh secure sponsorship from Cambodia’s largest Bank ABA
24th May 2022 - ASEAN Football Federation announce Mitsubishi Electric tournament sponsorship
13th May 2022 - Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore named as hosts of consecutive SEA Games from 2025
18th December 2021 - Inauguration event held for Cambodia’s new national stadium
6th December 2021 - Dates confirmed for 2022 Southeast Asian Games
19th October 2021 - Vietnam’s rescheduled Southeast Asian Games to be held in May 2022
14th September 2021 - ecoSPIRITS extend their sustainable offering with Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh partnership
19th August 2021 - Construction completed on Phnom Penh’s new Cambodian National Stadium
9th July 2021 - Pandemic sees Vietnam’s SEA Games postponed until 2022
8th May 2021 - Works continue for Vietnam’s hosting of 31st SEA Games and 11th ASEAN Para Games
30th November 2019 - SEA Games opening ceremony showcases The Philippines
12th November 2019 - SPIA Asia 2019 event links with 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila
30th August 2019 - Manila SEA Games centrepiece approaches completion
2nd November 2017 - Uncertainty over Cambodia’s hosting of 2023 SEA Games
5th June 2017 - Kuala Lumpur SEA Games exceeds sponsorship target
13th April 2017 - Construction begins on new 60,000-seat football stadium in Phnom Penh
28th March 2017 - Olympic Council of Malaysia fears SEA Games sponsorship shortfall
24th September 2015 - 8th ASEAN Para Games to celebrate athletes’ extraordinary spirit
7th February 2014 - Team Singapore athletes rewarded for Southeast Asian Games success
14th January 2014 - Singapore to host 8th ASEAN Para Games
