Cambodia’s relentless effort to seek UNESCO-recognition for one of the Kingdom’s oldest known fighting styles, kun l’bokator, has been given a big boost by the Korea-based World Martial Arts Academy Forum.

The Forum’s grand mission is to extensively research ancient forms and styles of martial arts around the world and use this as a platform to foster intra-cultural ties.

As part of this strategic goal the Forum has turned its sights on l’bokator and aims to forge a long term relationship with the Cambodian Bokator Federation (CBF).

A five-member delegation led by academy chief Nam Joong Woong paid a two-day visit to Phnom Penh last week, paving the way for a historic agreement of cooperation between the Forum and the CBF.

Stressing on the importance of building infrastructure for a research foundation during his talks with CBF president Vath Chamroeun, Nam Joong Woong said the forum was determined to get on board to support l’bokator to preserve its identity and heritage.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Chamroeun and Nam Joong Woong, the Forum will fully back Cambodia in its UNESCO bid and work closely with the community to promote this ancient fighting art in other parts of the world.

“We are very happy to receive this support from the Forum. It is a great endorsement for l’bokator. A l’bokator troupe has been invited to Korea by the Forum in September,” CBF president and secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia Chamroeun told the Post yesterday.

“Under the MoU there are a great many opportunities for exchanging visits and for deeper understanding of this cultural asset that Cambodia prides itself in. At all costs it should be preserved for the sake of humanity,” Chamroeun added.