Rivals on the Pitch, Friends Across Borders: How SEA Games Boosts International Relations

Cambodia would like to learn from Vietnam’s experience in organising the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh.

Rosy Huong

huongthhd@gmail.com May 25, 2022 | 14:54

At the meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh. Photo: icd.gov.vn

Cambodia - the host country of the SEA Games 32 - received the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag from Vietnam at the closing ceremony of SEA Games 31 in Hanoi on May 23 night.

At a working session with Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung in Hanoi on May 24, Deputy PM Tea Banh thanked Vietnam for its warm and sincere welcome to Cambodia’s sports delegation.

Tea Banh also expressed his honor to be present at the closing ceremony and receive the flag.

For his part, Hung said Vietnam received the active coordination and support from Cambodia and other Southeast Asian nations in the organisation of SEA Games 31, the biggest regional sport event.

Vietnam stands ready to share its experience with organizing a massive sporting event, he said, pledging that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will actively assist Cambodia to host the Games, to be held in 2023, in the spirit of comprehensive cooperation.

Expanding tourism cooperation

Sport, Tourism Cooperation Promotes Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship

At the closing ceremony of SEA Games 31. Photo: VNA

Hung said the visit to Vietnam by Deputy PM Tea Banh and other Cambodian guests takes place as the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The visit will contribute to enhancing solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian nations, he stressed.

Highlighting the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship that is developing fruitfully, Hung mentioned bilateral tourism collaboration, which, he said, would pave way for the successful organisation of SEA Games 32.

The minister suggested the two countries join hands in launching tours connecting their heritage sites to attract more tourists.

He also proposed Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos prioritize tourism in the development triangle to recover and promote the sector in the three countries more comprehensively./.

Cambodia win the bronze in the men's indoor volleyball of SEA Games 31. Photo: VNA

Under the theme “For a Stronger South East Asia,” SEA Games 31 was held in Hanoi and 11 neighboring cities and provinces.

It featured 40 sports with 523 competitions, attracting around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 1,759 medals were awarded, including 525 golds, 522 silvers, and 712 bronzes, while 30 new records set. Vietnam went down in the Games’ history with 205 gold medals and 17 records.

Cambodia earned a total of nine gold, 13 silver and 41 bronze medals, ranking eighth in the medal tally, which is a giant leap compared to the 30th edition in the Philippines in 2019 when the country brought home only four gold medals, six silvers and 36 bronzes.

The 32nd SEA Games is scheduled to take place on May 5-16, 2023. It will be the first time that Cambodia has hosted the biennial regional sport event.

The upcoming edition is projected to feature 40 sports, excluding two Olympic sports of archery and shooting.

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Rosy Huong