Talented, young sports reporters are to be recruited for the 17th Asian Games being held in Incheon, South Korea, from September 19 to October 4 next year, officials from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia revealed Sunday.

While the NOCC will facilitate the recruitment process, the Olympic Council of Asia is funding the drive and will make the final judgment on applications. The Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee will also help launch the talent search and outline conditions of recruitment.

NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun told the Post they were looking for young, skilled writers who have a good working knowledge of many sports to join the region’s biggest multi-sport event, which aims to benefit young people through the Olympic Movement.

Three local organisations, children’s charity Pour un Sourire d’Enfant, Zaman International School and Northbridge International School, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NOCC to provide candidates for consideration. They will be asked to submit reports in English, with assessments running October 20-22.

Students from other institutions are also encouraged to apply, providing they have appropriate qualifications and literacy standards.

NOCC advisor Ken Gadaffi claimed this first round of recruitment would involve hundreds of applicants, especially from Zaman International School and the PSE organisation due to their established collaboration with the NOCC on sharing the Olympic message with youngsters here.

Around 500 to a thousand students are expected to try out for the opportunity in Incheon.