The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport launched the 2014 National Petanque Championships yesterday morning at the petanque pits of the National Sports Complex.

Tuy Bunheng, the chief of the ministry’s sports department, told the Post that the nine-day tournament has seen an increase in participation this year, with 286 males and 48 females signed up to compete compared to 233 males and 31 females last year.

The competition follows a two-tier format with players divided into Divisions A and B according to standard. “The objective of the tournament is to find talented new players with an eye on participation in the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 [which Cambodia will host],” Bunheng added.