TEMPO.CO, Phnom Penh - Cambodia hosted the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for the first time in 64 years, expressing confidence that the biennial multi-sport event would give a boost to the tourism industry in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen presided over the opening ceremony of the 32nd edition of the SEA Games on Friday evening, May 5, at the 60,000-seater Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
With the motto of "Sport: Live in Peace", the games brought together a total of 10,890 athletes, coaches, arbitrators, and delegates from the 10 member states - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
The two-hour opening ceremony included a sound and light show featuring the history of Cambodia, the parade of athletes, athlete's and arbitrator's oath, speeches, games torch lighting ceremony, and fireworks.
In his brief remarks at the event, Hun Sen said sports live in peace and that peace is for all, and all is for peace.
"On behalf of His Majesty the King of Cambodia, the royal government, and myself, I declare the 32nd SEA Games open from now on," Hun Sen announced.
According to the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC), the games will see athletes competing in 579 events across 36 sports, including football, athletics, gymnastics, swimming, badminton, and golf, as well as two Cambodian ancient martial arts, namely Kun Bokator and Kun Khmer.
Running until May 17, the games are free for all as Cambodia covers the expenses of food and accommodation for all foreign athletes, coaches, and delegates, provides free tickets for all spectators, and grants free live broadcast rights to local and foreign TV networks.
