Prime Minister Hun Sen is ready to welcome all national and international guests, especially those with disabilities, to the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games. Just 50 days remain until the capital’s Morodok Techo National Stadium will echo with the roars of tens of thousands of people for the games’ May 5 opening ceremony.
Speaking at the March 15 opening of the 5th Asia-Pacific Community-Based Inclusive Development (AP-CBID) Congress in Phnom Penh, the prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities receive the same opportunities as every other Cambodian citizen.
This applies to employment in state institutions, as well as the opportunity to participate in sports.
Ghulam Nabi Nizamani, chairperson of the AP-CBID network, praised Cambodia for its inclusive preparations to host both the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.
He said the Para Games that followed the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines were cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis, as was the 2021 Vietnam edition. Fortunately, Indonesia stepped forward and agreed to host the games in 2022.
“We have established a strong interconnected network in the Asia-Pacific region, and I believe that Cambodia has demonstrated that its preparations for the games are among the best in the region. We congratulate the Kingdom for the work it has done,” he added.
The 11th ASEAN Para Games were held from July 30 to August 6 in Solo, Indonesia. Cambodia sent 115 athletes to compete in 11 sports. Team Cambodia brought home seven gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals, placing it 7th among the 11 countries competing.
The team are ensconced in their training camps ahead of this year’s edition of the games, which will run from June 3-19, following the SEA Games.
Hun Sen said he welcomes all who will come to attend the historic biennial multi-sports event, held for the first time in Cambodia.
