With the countdown for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games now under way, the events that will be held in the biennial meet are set to be finalized next month.
The composition of the games’ calendar will be completed in Phnom Penh on Aug. 15, with officials from member countries attending a meeting of the SEA Games Federation Council.
“They will finalize all the events. We will know what they are, what kilograms, what weight categories,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino.
The Cambodian SEA Games Organizing Committee has already come up with an initial list, which was discussed when it hosted the Executive Committee Meeting of the Council and the three-day ASEAN Para Sport Federation Council last July 13.
In the list are 40 sports events, 12 of which have multiple disciplines, included in the roster of multiple events are aquatics, baseball and softball, basketball, cycling, equestrian, football, gymnastics, handball, hockey, volleyball, winter sports and wrestling.
At the same time, Tolentino said he will present a guarantee from the Philippine government that the Philippines will be able again host the Southeast Asian Games in 2033.
“I need to submit a letter of guarantee of support from the government. This could come from Malacanang or from the Philippine Sports Commission,” said Tolentino.
Organizers are now preparing the Morodok Techo National Stadium, which will serve as a milestone for Cambodia as an organizer of major sports events in the region.
Authorities want Cambodia to become a major destination for sports competitions in the region and beyond.
Cambodia officially kicked off its 300-day countdown on July 8 as host of the 32nd SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games for the first time,
The games will run from May 5 to 17 next year and the 12th ASEAN Para Games is slated from June 3 to 9, with he motto “Sport: Live In Peace”.
An official website for the games can now also be viewed at cambodia2023.com.