The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia has vowed to strengthen the country’s sports structure so as to achieve greater sporting success while improving organisational efficiency.

NOCC outlined its ambitious agenda yesterday at its one-day annual General Assembly, which was convened at its headquarters.

After reviewing the country’s performances, achievements and shortcomings at all levels, including international and regional competitions during 2015, the assembly overwhelmingly approved a strategy aimed at securing higher medal yields and the better harnessing of talent in the coming year.

The top priority for the NOCC is to get the government to approve its master plan to host the 2023 SEA Games, which will be held in Cambodia, at the earliest so it can move ahead with the massive preparatory work required to host the region’s mega event.

In his address, Thong Khon, the Minister of Tourism and president of NOCC, stressed the importance of making the 2023 edition of the SEA Games one of the best in history.

The assembly also placed great importance on the staging of the inaugural National Games later this year. The event is likely to be made up of 22 disciplines mostly represented at the biennial SEA Games so that the competitors can get an edge in their training and preparations.

The other major targets set for the year included preparations for the ensuing Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the fifth Asian Beach Games in the Vietnamese city of Danang. The panel also placed special emphasis on the country’s preparations for the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia next year.

The assembly noted that 2015 revealed the bright new face of Cambodian sport, one that held out great hope for emerging potential, with a stronger Olympic movement heightening optimism.

On the flipside, the assembly expressed concern over several areas that held the danger of slowing down progress. Lack of human resources development was seen as a major drawback, which made a strong case for steady infrastructure upgrades.

The assembly called all sports bodies and government agencies to ensure better coordination to strengthen the country’s sports structure as a whole.