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Cambodia offers free food, accommodation for SEAG delegates

By Jean Malanum

April 19, 2023, 6:56 pm

MANILA – Host Cambodia will provide free food and accommodation to all athletes and coaches participating in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games from May 5 to 17.

“This is a very significant development because it means a lot in terms of expenses Team Philippines will incur during the Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Wednesday.

“We thank Cambodia for putting its best foot forward in its goal to successfully host the SEA Games for the first time,” he added.

Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee Permanent Vice President, Dr. Thong Khon, who is also the president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Tourism Minister of Cambodia, informed all the NOCs of the SEA Games Federation of the development in a letter on April 18.

“Under the wise and respectable guidance of His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Camsoc will no longer charge any food and accommodation fees to the participating NOCs of the 32nd SEA Games,” Khon said in the letter.

“This decision and leadership by Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen further affirms the Kingdom of Cambodia’s commitment to hosting our regional sports family and international guests in a neighborly environment of solidarity and friendship,” Kon added.

SEA Games hosts normally charge a flat rate of USD50 per athlete or coach - inclusive of food and accommodation - although some hotels charge USD180 for twin sharing.

There are 840 athletes and 300 coaches in the Cambodia-bound Philippine delegation headed by Chito Loyzaga, who will be assisted by Paolo Tancontian and Leonora Escollante.

The athletes and coaches will leave by batches based on their competition schedule.

The Philippine Sports Commission has earmarked PHP250 million for the SEA Games preparation, training and participation.

Around 12,000 athletes, coaches and staff from Southeast Asian countries are going to the SEA Games.

The capital city of Phnom Penh will be the main hub, particularly the Morodok Techo National Stadium, Olympic National Stadium and Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre, while other competition venues are in the provinces of Kep, Kampot, Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap. (PNA)

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