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Prime Minister Hun Sen reaffirmed yesterday morning that Cambodia would not host a SEA Games before 2020 due to the need for further development in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and irrigation systems.

“I’ve already told the Indonesian president that Cambodia will not apply for hosting the SEA Games until at least 2020 due to limited budget,” the Prime Minister said during his speech at the 16th Government-Private Sector Forum, held at the Peace Palace.

Hun Sen went on to hail the good performances of Cambodian athletes at the 26th SEA Games, which concluded in Indonesia on Tuesday.

According to the official SEA Games website, Cambodia collected a total of 39 medals – four golds, 11 silvers and 24 bronzes.

However, an administrative error has seen wrestler Kang Denpiseth awarded a bronze in the 55-60kg competition. The Cambodian lost two of his three league round bouts and returned home without a medal.

As expected, the host nation topped the medals table with an impressive 182 golds. The tally saw their record of finishing with most golds at a SEA Games extended to 10 times, one behind the all-time leaders, Thailand.

Only three times previously had a nation won more SEA Games golds, interestingly each time as the hosts and spaced evenly over three decades. Indonesia won 183 golds in 1987, then  took a record 194 in 1997, while Thailand notched 183 in 2007.

Thailand’s 109 golds from this year’s mega event was the highest total for a second-ranked nation, as was Vietnam’s 96 golds as the third-best delegation.

The new Mynamar capital of Naypyidaw will host the next edition of the region’s premier sporting event in 2013, while Singapore will be home to the 2015 SEA Games.

In conjunction with the 26th SEA Games runs the sixth ASEAN Para-Games, which get under way on Dec-ember 12 in Surakarta, Central Java.

Full list of Cambodian medal winners from 26th SEA Games

Boxing: Chhuon Sokleng (bronze), Huot Sam Ath (bronze), Svay Ratha (bronze)

Judo:  Khom Ratanakmony (silver)

Kempo: Un Sovannara (bronze), Sovan Kiri (gold), Kong Saravorn (bronze, team bronze), Phat Saren (bronze), Ms Sovan Rachana (silver, team bronze), Ms Branom Channary (bronze), Ms Sovan Ratanak (bronze)

Petanque: Sok Chan Mean (bronze), Or Chan Daren (team gold), Yim Sophorn (team gold), Ms Ke Leng (bronze), Ms Duong Dina (team silver), Ms Oum Chantrea (team silver)

Taekwondo: Phon Virak (bronze), Ms Sorn Davin (silver), Ms Chhoeung Puthearim (bronze), Ms Sorn Seavmey (bronze)

Tennis: Bun Kenny (team bronze), Orn Sambath (team bronze), Long Samneang (team bronze)

Vovinam: Prak Vanny (team gold), Ly Boramy (gold, team gold, team silver x 2), San Socheat (team gold, team silver), Chin Piseth (team silver), Kat Sopheak (team silver), Sorn Elit (bronze), Chrin Bunlong (team silver x 2), Tin Pheap (silver), Lim Paovhoungyan (silver), Ms Pal Chhorraksmy (team gold, silver x 2, team silver), Ms Vy Sreykhouch (bronze), Ms Mao Monita (bronze)

Wrestling: Chab Linh (bronze), Nuth Sophol (bronze), Chum Chivinn (bronze x 2)

Wushu: Veng Vireak (bronze)