The continental manager of Olympic Solidarity, Olivier Niamkey, and the director of Asian Games at the Olympic Council of Asia, Haider Farman, have commended the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia for its organisational excellence in hosting the OS/OCA Regional Forum, which concluded on Monday at Phnom Penh’s Sokha Hotel.
As the country’s prime sports body shifts its focus on the upcoming August 18 to September 2 Asian Games in Indonesia, both Olympic Solidarity and Olympic Council of Asia have held out assurances of extended support for the Kingdom as it embarks on its biggest logistical challenge ever in staging the 2023 SEA Games.
On the sidelines of the Regional Forum, both Niamkey and Farman reportedly held several bilateral discussions with the secretary-general of the NOCC, Vath Chamroeun, as to how well the Kingdom’s needs and challenges can be addressed moving forwards aside from extending the support base that already exists.
According to NOCC sources familiar with the discussions, Olympic Solidarity, a development arm of the International Olympic Committee, is impressed by the successful implementation of several of its programs so far, and Niamkey has reportedly reassured Cambodia that Olympic Solidarity will look at avenues to broaden its support.
Meanwhile, NOCC secretary-general Chamroeun confirmed to The Post on Wednesday that in his talks with Farman, the Olympic Council of Asia executive had indicated his willingness to explore the possibility of forging a consensus to choose Cambodia as a venue for the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly in the run-up to the 2023 Games.
The General Assembly is the final authority on determining all matters concerning the Olympic Council of Asia.
“Since the General Assembly is the most influential gathering of administrators on the continent, it would be a great honour for us to host it,” Chamroeun said.
Jakarta Asiad push
The Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC), which made a detailed presentation to the delegates at the recently concluded Regional Forum in Phnom Penh, has announced that it would be happy to accommodate 10 to 12 observers from Cambodia during the Games so that they can gain useful knowledge that will stand them in good stead for 2023 SEA Games preparations.
The announcement was made personally by the secretary-general of INASGOC, Eris Herryanto, to the secretary-general of NOCC.
The second technical delegates meeting is planned for August.
The first involving, 180 delegates, was held in March.
The minister of education, youth and sport, Dr Hang Chuon Naron, announced on Wednesday that Cambodian athletes will take part in 12 disciplines at the Asian Games.
According to Chamroeun, the size of the Cambodian contingent of athletes and officials is yet to be finalised by the Sports Ministry.
It is likely that 30 athletes and 25 officials will make the trip to Jakarta and Palembang, where 45 nations from the continent will be represented involving 40 disciplines spread over 462 events.
