On the morning of March 21, King Norodom Sihamoni lit the torch at Angkor Wat temple, marking the kickoff of the relay of the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games torch. This historic event, timed to coincide with the Angkor Wat equinox, was witnessed by several members of the Cambodian leadership, sporting delegations from the ASEAN nations, and representatives from the SEA Games Federation and ASEAN Para Sports Federation.
Several members of the Cambodian leadership, including Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, Minister of National Defence Tea Banh, and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, as well as sporting delegations from the ASEAN nations, were in attendance at the ceremony.
The torch lighting ceremony was held in front of the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. This event, just 45 days before the opening ceremony of the biennial multi-sports event, was hosted for the first time in the Kingdom.
Following the lighting of the torch, it was relayed around the Angkor Archaeological Park by nine Cambodian athletes. The torch will now leave Cambodia on March 22 to tour the 10 Southeast Asian nations that will participate in the games. It will return to the Kingdom on April 27, just in time for the opening ceremony of the SEA Games.
The SEA Games is a multi-sports event held every two years, where athletes from Southeast Asian nations compete in various sports. This year’s games will feature 40 sports, including athletics, swimming, football, and martial arts, and will be held in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap from May 5 to May 16.
The hosting of the SEA Games in Cambodia is a significant milestone for the country. It is an opportunity to showcase its cultural and natural heritage to the world, as well as its progress in terms of infrastructure development and economic growth. It is also a chance to strengthen its relationship with its ASEAN neighbors, promoting regional cooperation and understanding.
As the torch makes its way across the ASEAN nations, it will symbolize the unity and spirit of sportsmanship that the SEA Games represents. It will also serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and determination in achieving one’s goals.
As we look forward to the opening ceremony of the SEA Games in May, let us celebrate this historic moment for Cambodia and the Southeast Asian region. Let us support the athletes as they compete and showcase their talents, and let us embrace the spirit of sportsmanship that the SEA Games embodies.
Photos, Facebook Page of Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister
