On Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, the National Olympic
Committee of Cambodia and the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (AMCHAM)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a campaign to collaborate
and seek sponsorship for Cambodian athletes to prepare for the 2028 Olympic
Games in Los Angeles, California, USA.
This cooperation was made under the Presidency of H.E. Vath
Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, Mr.
Casey Barnett, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of
Cambodia, and Mr. Benjamin Chiang, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States
Embassy in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Mr. Casey Barnett said that, this is the beginning of a
fundraising program from several American companies and philanthropists to
support Cambodian athletes preparing to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games
in Los Angeles, California, USA. In fact, the training of American athletes is
also funded by the private sector, not relying entirely on government funding. Therefore,
he hopes that Cambodia can follow the same way that is gathering the supports
from companies to promote Cambodia’s reputation and success. The American
businessmen hope that the sponsorship will help encourage athletes to compete
successfully in the Olympic Games.
Mr. Casey Barnett has also praised the National Olympic
Committee of Cambodia for strongly supporting Cambodian athletes to succeed in
the Olympics. The sponsorship will focus on sports with potential for success
in the Olympics, including swimming, athletics, karate, taekwondo and
wrestling, etc., all of these sports have Cambodia athletes have participated
in the competitions in the Olympics.
H.E. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National
Olympic Committee of Cambodia, emphasized that, seeking this sponsorship is
from both companies in Cambodia and the United States to focus on high-level
training of athletes in potential sports. In that, athletes with good abilities
will be able to get the opportunity to train abroad in locations with potential
to prepare for Olympic Games as well as participating in other competitions.
In fact, some countries that are strong in any sport, potential
athletes of Cambodia in that sport will go to train in the right way. Competing
in many competitions is also an important thing to measure the true ability to
prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games. The main goal of the National Olympic
Committee of Cambodia is to participate in competitions through successful
qualification (Qualify) and not participate through preferential rights (Wild Card).
Successful qualification is also an important factor to improve Cambodia’s
sports capabilities.
H.E. Vath Chamroeun emphasized that, this cooperation shows
the attention of the Olympic Movement and all relevant partners, which is hope
and confidence for Cambodian athletes.
