NOCC president Thong Khon received an Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Merit Award from OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh at the opening ceremony of the OCA General Assembly at Sokha Hotel on October 4. SUPPLIED
Minister of National Defence Tea Banh said National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) president Thong Khon receiving an Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Merit Award was a great honour for Cambodia, its athletes and coaches.
The accolade, said Banh, who is president of the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), was also acclaim for all those involved in developing sport and the Olympic movement in the Kingdom.
Banh had high praise for Minister of Tourism Khon receiving the Merit Award, saying the honour had historical meaning for sport in Cambodia.
In a congratulatory letter, Banh said: “On this special occasion, one of great happiness and deep historical meaning, I would like to congratulate Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and NOCC president, for receiving the OCA Merit Award.
“This is recognition for all his efforts in promoting the Olympic sports movement nationally and internationally.”
The award was presented to Khon by OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh at the opening ceremony of the OCA General Assembly at Sokha Hotel on October 4, which was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Some 400 dignitaries including leaders of Asian and international Olympic movements from 55 countries around the world were in attendance.
“Receiving the Merit Award is a great honour for Cambodia and its athletes, coaches, the NOCC and national federations, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and members of the Olympic movement.
“These are the driving forces for promoting the development of the national and international Olympic sport movements in Cambodia,” Banh said.
Singh hailed Khon for the strong organisation of the NOCC and thanked Hun Sen as the most important supporter of the Olympic movement in Cambodia, with the Kingdom to host the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and ASEAN Para Games.
Cambodia will also host the 5th Asian Youth Games in 2029.
After receiving the OCA Merit Award, Khon said it was a great honour for Cambodia, with the award also a tribute to the Kingdom’s athletes, coaches, federations and everyone else who had supported the Cambodian Olympic movement.
This had led to a rapidly growing sports sector in Cambodia, with the Kingdom now preparing to host large international events.
NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun also praised the recognition, saying: “Dr Thong Khon receiving the OCA Merit Award was an honour for him personally, the Olympic movement and Cambodian sport as a whole,” he said.
