Thach Thi Trang, Khmer Krom youth from Preah Trapaing (Tra Vinh in Yuon), won the gold medal in karate at the 26th SEA Games in Indonedia

First blood: Young karate athlete Thach Thi Trang celebrates after winning the gold medal at the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia. — VNA/VNS Photo Quoc Khanh

Ethnic gold winner still to peak


December, 12 2011
VNA (Hanoi)

‘You are the first ethnic Khmer person taking part in the SEA Games and you could be the first to receive a medal. You fight not only for yourself but also for your compatriots’.”

HA NOI — Young karate athlete Thach Thi Trang surprised her coaching staff by boosting team morale with a win in the women’s kumite (combat) 68kg category at the 26th SEA Games just finished in Indonesia.

Trang’s victory was all the more meaningful because she defeated the host country’s Mardiah Nasution in the final round in spite of a bloody nose.

There was a pause in the match as doctors tried to stop the bleeding after Nasution punched her in the face. The medical team spent a great deal of time and effort but had difficulty stopping the flow of blood and they were worried that Thanh wouldn’t be able to finish the match, forcing a forfeit. Finally she was able to go on in spite of the injury.

Please help support our Cambodian National Baseball Team to Compete in the 26th SEA Games

August 24, 2011
From KI Reader: Reasmeiy Angkor

In 2007, the brand-new national Cambodian Baseball team competed for the first time in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, led by Cambodian American coach Joe Cook,” the team didn't win any games, but the real victory was in the journey,” said Michael Siv, a media producer for New America Media.

The heart and soul of every player and the CNBT team is the participation in the 26th SEA Games, which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from November 11-26 of this year. In order to participate in the 26th SEA GAMES, the team has to convince the parent national sporting body, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, that the team has what it takes to compete and representing Cambodia “on its commitment and capability to field a decent team.”

Brief records of CNBT:

• 2008 ranked 51th of 138 teams in the world.
• 2009 ranked 65th of 138 teams in the world.
• May, 2009 ranked 62th of 138 teams in the Asean Cup
• CNBT ranked 12th in Asea and 6th in Asean countries.

The unfortunate result is that the NOC (National Olympic Committee of Cambodia) is not supporting the Cambodian National Baseball Team to represent Cambodia in the 26th Sea Game this November. NOC is not allowing the team to compete, the committee refused to sign the entry form for the competition. The CNBT is a good team, work very hard, and determined to show the world their talents and perseverance.

Here is a message from the Founder and Ambassador of Baseball of Cambodia, Joe Cook:

We are sad to report that Cambodia's first National Baseball Team will not be competing in the 26th annual South East Asian (SEA) Games, this November. The team's application has been denied by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.

We want Cambodia to participate and be recognized in the international arena. Despite no support or sponsorship from the Cambodian government, funding has been raised by individuals who believe that our players have what it takes to represent our beloved country. We have a good team in place and are ready to compete in November!

To express your concerns and support for our baseball team, please write to NOC, in hopes that they reconsider the application. camnoc@online.com.kh

For more information on the team please visit: www.cambodiabaseball.org

Please help spread the word

Orginial posted on Reasmeiy Angkor's Facebook.

Please help spread the word: It was brought to my attention that the NOC (National Olympic Committee of Cambodia) is not supporting the Cambodian National Baseball Team to represent Cambodia in the 26th SEA Game this November. NOC is not allowing the team to compete, the committee refused to sign the entry form for the competition. The CNBT is a good team, work very hard, and determined to show the world their talents and perseverance. Please write/email them @ camnoc@online.com.kh to request that they give our baseball team a chance. Thanks!

Cambodia to host 2019 SEAG

03/22/2011
By Joey Villar
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Cambodia, the only founding member of the Southeast Asian Games not to have hosted the biennial meet, is on line to take its turn in 2019.

Several member countries actually brought up the issue in its meeting in Bali, Indonesia a couple of weeks ago, giving the Cambodians, one of the first countries to participate in the Games’ inaugural staging in 1959, ample time to prepare for their first ever hosting.

“It’s about time Cambodia, one of the founding members, hosts the SEA Games,” said Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia. “I just don’t know if they are ready to host their first SEA Games.”

Cambodia Reluctant To Host Sea Games In 2015

PHNOM PENH, June 25 (Bernama) -- Cambodia has yet to decide whether or not to host the Southeast Asian Games (SEA GAMES) in 2015, fearing the lack of human resources, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a top Cambodian sports official as saying Friday.

"Technically, it is quite tough for Cambodia to host it, especially from the NOCC capacity, but that depends on the government leaders who have clear and long vision on the matter," said Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC).

He said a number of factors such as human resource, sports structure, sport management, environment, and financial resource needed to be reviewed before a country decided to lodge a bid for the regional sports event.

It was reported that Laos had to spend about US$100 million to host the multi-sport event in 2009, according to Chamroeun.

A founding member of the SEA Games that was launched in 1959, Cambodia has never hosted the event.

Chamroeun said during a meeting of the SEA Games Federation Council in Jakarta on May 28-29, the Cambodian delegation was advised to host the SEA Games in 2015.

Cambodia declines to host games

Thursday, June 24, 2010
Peter Atencio
Manila Standard Today

CAMBODIA may not be ready to host the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, Vath Chamroeun, the secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, told the Phnom Phen Post on Monday that five years may not be enough “for the Kingdom to prepare a sporting event of that magnitude.”

Cambodia’s reluctance to host the games in 2015 prompted the Philippine Olympic Committee to look into the possibility of Manila hosting the event in the same year.

“We will wait for Cambodia’s official communications on this. The executive board will have to take this up,” stated Cojuangco.

Earlier this month, Cojuangco said the Philippines is prepared to host the games on an earlier schedule if Myanmar or Vietnam back out of their turn in the rotation for hosting.

But Myanmar accepted the hosting rights for 2013 SEA Games during a recent meeting of the SEA Games Federation Council in Jakarta after Singapore backed out.

Cambodia was supposed to host the games in 2015, while Vietnam will have its turn in 2017.

The Federation has warned Cambodia that if it misses out on its turn, the wait can “be long and painful as bids are considered on a rotation basis.”

“We are overwhelmed by this show of massive support, but realistically, it may not be possible to mobilize resources, create infrastructure and develop human resources in a time frame of five years from now,” added Chamroeun.

Cambodia instructed to host SEA Games by 2015, says NOCC official

NOCC General Secretary Vath Chamroeun has revealed that Cambodia may have just five years to organise the hosting of the SEA Games, or risk waiting much longer. (Photo by: Yeun Ponlok)

Monday, 21 June 2010
H S Manjunath
The Phnom Penh Post

THE Southeast Asian Games Council has called upon Cambodia to host their regional sports biannual event by 2015 at the latest, with a faint warning that if the only founding member not to have staged the tournament in its 50-year history misses out on this opportunity, the wait for the next chance could be long and painful as bids are considered on a rotation basis.

Individual member countries have also pledged explicit support and co-operation for Cambodia to push its bid for 2015, but the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) argues that five years could be too short a time for the Kingdom to prepare for a sporting event of that magnitude.

“We are overwhelmed by this show of massive support, but realistically it may not be possible to mobilise resources, create infrastructure and develop human resources in a time frame of five years from now,” stated NOCC Secretary General Vath Chamroeun. “But we have already started work on human resource development as the first phase of our master plan for the SEA Games, and there are so many other big hurdles to cross before we can confidently say ‘Yes we are ready to do it.’

“We need the government’s help every step of the way for a mega event like this,” he declared. “We are in discussion with several government agencies and once the master plan is completely drawn, we can predict the time frame on our readiness.

“If not 2015, the next one could possibly be our target,” he said adding that he hoped fellow ASEAN members would respect their predicament.

Singapore relinquished their rights to host the 2013 SEA Games due to construction delays of their new US$1.87 billion Sports Hub. Indonesia will be hosting their fourth edition next year.

Vath Chamroeun laid emphasis on strengthening the NOCC base by goading the 33 affiliated sports federations to start pulling their weight. The secretary revealed that some federations were doing very well while some lay totally dormant. “We at the NOCC want those federations which are inactive to wake up, hold elections and usher in a new set of office-bearers who are enthusiastic to promote sport,” he affirmed.

Cambodia plans to take part in six disciplines – Swimming, Athletics, Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Beach Volleyball – during the upcoming Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November. Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s involvement in the Asian Beach Games to be held in Muscat, Oman in December is confined to just Beach Volleyball.

The NOCC has inviting a volleyball expert from China and a wrestling ace from Kazakhstan to conduct specialised technical courses for local coaches.

First medal for Cambodia

Cambodian taekwondo athlete Cheat Khemara competes in his men’s kata event at Booyong Gymnasium, Vientiane, on Wednesday. AFP

Thursday, 10 December 2009
Ung Chamroeun
The Phnom Penh Post

The Kingdom’s Cheat Khemara took bronze in the men’s individual Taekwondo kata Wednesday, but says he should have done better

CAMBODIA claimed its first medal of the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane on Wednesday, with Cheat Khemara taking bronze in the men’s individual Taekwondo kata event at the Booyong Gymnasium.

However, the athlete was said to be disappointed with the result, as he’d been aiming for the gold medal. The kata discipline demonstrates movements from the taekwondo martial art, with scores awarded for fluidity and good technique.

With both third- and fourth-placing competitiors receiving bronze medals in taekwondo events, Cheat Khemara scored a total of 15.87 points, which was enough to share the bronze position with Indonesia’s Daniel Danny, who scored 16.07. Myanmar’s San Shein Thet grabbed silver with 16.10 points, and Soukthavy Panyasith claimed host nation Laos’ first gold medal with a score of 16.63 points.

In the women’s individual kata event, Cambodia’s Ngy Sreyvin struggled to match the quality of her opponents, finishing fifth and outside the medals. Her score of 16.01 was beaten by bronze medalists Lessitra Draningrati from Indonesia on 16.23 and Lee Jeng Yen from Malaysia on 16.47. Kidavone Philavong took silver for Laos with 16.66, while Myanmar’s Ya Min K-Khine grabbed gold with a stunning 16.93.

In the mixed pair kata event, Cambodia and Malaysia were left off the podium, while Myanmar and Philippines took away bronzes, Thailand snatched silver, and Vietnam stormed to the gold medal.

Cambodia did not participate in the men’s team event, which Vietnam won, or the women’s team event, which the Philippines won.

“We knew well our limitations,” said Cambodia coach Choi Yongsok from South Korea. “I’m very sorry that some of my talented athletes were suffering from injury. We showed a lack of experience, but my athletes tried their best anyway. They are so young compared to other opponents. My students trained in Korea, and competed in only one competition before coming to SEA Games.

“We’ve only just started training, while other countries have practiced this sport for a long time, especially Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia. However, I think that Cambodia are a similar level to Laos and Myanmar. Now, we’re thinking about the next competitions. We still have hope.”

Cambodia won first ever medals: Chanmean Sok won Gold in men's singles petanque and Srey Mom Ouk won Silver in women's singles petanque

SEA GAMES: Thais scoop up 22 gold

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong
Excerpt from The Nation (Thailand)

Nakhon Ratchasima

Cambodia won its first gold in this year's SEA Games when Chanmean Sok beat Thai Phakin Phukram to win the men's singles petanque. The country also claimed a silver when Thailand's Phantipha Wongchuvej relegated Srey Mom Ouk to second place in the women's singles.