Cambodian authorities are expected to lift health and safety protocols for the coming 32nd Southeast Asian Games and Para Games 2023.
National Golf Association of the Philippines secretary general Bones Floro said this as he joins the Philippine delegation that will take part of the SEA Games Federation Council meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next month.
The removal of COVID-19 restrictions will be among the topics that will be taken up when the Council meets from July 11 to 13 in Phnom Penh.
Restrictions are now easing over the last two weeks as the Cambodian government began providing a fifth dose of vaccines to priority groups across the country.
And so far, the Cambodian Ministry of Health on Wednesday reported no new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.
Floro will be part of the Philippine Olympic Committee delegation, headed by POC chief Abraham Tolentino, that is heading for Phnom Penh in the second week of July.
So far, Cambodia is opening up to visitors because of the low cases.
Cambodian authorities are upbeat of their hosting of the Games next year because of the reported success in controlling the pandemic and the effectiveness of the vaccines.
The games, to be organized under the motto “Sport: Live in Peace”, are set from May 5 to 17, 2023, while the Para Games are slated from June 1 to 10, 2023.
About 10,000 people, including 7,000 athletes, coaches and technical sport officers, are expected to arrive, 40 sports disciplines calendared.
Five cities and provinces are being readied as venues, including the capital city of Phnom Penh and the provinces of Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kep and Kampot, as satellite locations.
Phnom Penh is seen as the main hub of the Games, with organizers making plans to hold many popular sports disciplines.
Preparations are starting, with the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee already announcing the call for design concept for medal and mascots for the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games 2023 in Cambodia.
The application acceptance will be opened from July 1 to 30 at the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.