As Cambodia will participate in the 33rd SEA Games in 2025 in Thailand, which will be held from 7 to 20 December 2025, the public has expressed various opinions on social media. Along with the public’s opinions, there are also some views that fans should understand about this participation, including:
1. By participating in the SEA Games this time, Cambodia is participating as a member and family of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) as well as the regional Olympic Movement. The Olympic Movement member countries are obliged to participate in multi-sport competitions as determined.
2. The fundamental principles of the International Olympic Committee are to oppose all forms of discrimination in sports and to avoid political, religious, ethnic and social pressures. To uphold the spirit of solidarity, friendship and understanding to build a better world.
3. The Event of SEA Games are the prerogative of the Southeast Asian Sports Federations by 11 countries to manage and lead. The host country is the organizer according to the decision of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) Council of 11 countries.
4. The medal winners that all countries compete for is the SEAGF medals, not the host country's medal.
5. If we do not participate, we will be accused of not respecting the Olympic Charter and the SEAGF Charter.
6. If we participate for other reasons that opposite the principles of universal sports law above, we will be internationally condemned or punished. But some of our compatriots do not support and are not satisfied with participating and out of confidence, safety concerns are also valid.
For example, in the current situation which Cambodia needs peace, if there is a bilateral meeting in Thailand on Thai soil between Cambodia and Thailand, will we attend? If there is an ASEAN meeting on Thai soil with a proper invitation, will we attend? Recently, we participated safely in the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand and the Women's Wheelchair Games in Thailand. A few years ago, the North Korean delegation participated in the Winter Olympics in South Korea, even though the two Koreas are fierce enemies.
Is it possible that we use sports as a diplomatic message or another diplomatic battle ground to show that Cambodia wants peace, always respects the principles of international sports law, regional sports law, and has courage, dignity, and does not succumb to all evil ideas and bad behaviors.
This is the personal view of H.E. Vath Chamroeun and does not reflect the collective view of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and all compatriots.
It should be noted that, after receiving permission from the Royal Government of Cambodia, sports delegations of Cambodia in 21 sports, including 222 male and female athletes, will participate in the 33rd SEA Games in 2025 in Thailand next month, including athletics, swimming, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, judo, taekwondo WT, triathlon, volleyball, football, wrestling, pencaksilat, kickboxing, petanque, chinlone, jet ski, karate, jiu-jitsu, wushu, table football, and electronic sports.
