Representatives from different sports federations attended a meeting Friday at the Department of Physical Education and Sports, part of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, presided over by Lak Sam Ath, general director of the department. The main objective of the congress was to scrutinise the standard of work of the federations and look over their organisational structure and work plans for the 2010-2013 mandate period.

Boeung Kimtor, deputy director of the department, noted that while some federations had organised their annual championships well, others were in need of improvement. “We want all the federations to concentrate on the quality of their work for upcoming events because they will use the state budget to organise them,” he said.

Lak Sam Ath called for better cooperation from all federations, including the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. “We need to have a good relationship between us to promote sports events,” he stated. “Each federation has to spend their money with transparency. I’m aware that many federations get funding from other sources to help organise their annual championships.”

According to Ministry officials, more than 20 sports will organise championships this year as well as other sports events and lower-tier league competitions with money from the government. Meanwhile, most national athletes will be trained and catered for at the National Sports Complex.

Tennis, table tennis, karatedo, badminton, billiards, snooker, archery, petanque, swimming, sipak takraw, wushu, gymnastics, judo, boxing, taekwondo, shooting and some others will be held in Phnom Penh, while cyclists will compete in Takeo and traditional boat, canoe and kayak races will take place in Kandal province.

Regional championships in football, volleyball, basketball and athletics will be played in Phnom Penh, Kep, Preah Vihear, Kampong Cham and Pursat, while the national championships will be held in Battambang.