The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) is gearing up to host the country’s first-ever Children’s Olympic Games, slated for February 1, 2026. This historic event is set to welcome over 300 young participants, ranging in age from one to seven years old, marking a significant milestone in Cambodia’s youth sports development.
The primary objective behind launching these Games is to foster an early love for sports among children, familiarizing them with the core values of athletic competition and promoting their overall physical and mental well-being through active engagement from a very young age. The initiative aims to lay a foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle right from childhood.
Registration for this pioneering event commenced on September 11, 2025, and has already garnered an enthusiastic response. More than 300 children within the specified age bracket have been enrolled by their parents and guardians, eager to participate in the Games. The much-anticipated event is scheduled to take place at Aeon Mall Mean Chey.
During a press conference held on January 24, 2026, Mr. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the NOCC, underscored the importance of providing a dedicated platform for young children to explore and showcase their athletic talents. He emphasized that the Children’s Olympic Games are thoughtfully designed to introduce youngsters to the spirit of sports competition, deliberately without placing undue emphasis on the outcome of winning or losing.
Mr. Chamroeun elaborated on the long-term vision underpinning this initiative, stating, “This endeavor is fundamentally about cultivating the Olympic spirit within children from their earliest years. In the context of future major Olympic events, especially looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics, we envision a scenario where we can identify medal-winning athletes who began their journey right here, at the Children’s Olympics. Our aim is to track those who transitioned from competing in these youth games to becoming champions on the grand Olympic stage.” He further articulated the profound impact of consistent sports activity, likening it to a “magic medicine” for nurturing the spirit of individuals of all ages, children included.
The organization of Cambodia’s inaugural Children’s Olympic Games aligns seamlessly with the broader directives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC is actively encouraging all its member national committees worldwide to establish and host similar events specifically tailored for children, thereby promoting early and widespread engagement in sports.
Looking ahead, the IOC harbors ambitions to expand these Children’s Olympic Games to regional, continental, and even global scales, contingent on the successful implementation and positive reception of such events by its member nations. Mr. Chamroeun highlighted that if an international Children’s Olympics were to be established, young medalists emerging from national competitions like Cambodia’s would be afforded the unique and invaluable opportunity to represent their country on an international stage from a remarkably young age.
Beyond the competitive aspect for the children, the event also offers guardians a special opportunity. They can actively participate in the excitement, proudly witness their children’s competitive spirit, and gain a deeper appreciation for the crucial health and developmental benefits that sports contribute significantly to their children’s overall quality of life. The Games will feature ten distinct sports categories, carefully selected to be appropriate and engaging for children aged one to seven. These include crawling, basketball, Olympic intelligence games, running, badminton, cycling, weightlifting, football, martial arts, and children’s golf.
