Cambodia’s national sports performance has seen a significant decline since the nation successfully hosted the 32nd SEA Games in 2023. Mr. Vath Chamroeun, who serves as both the Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, has critically observed that Cambodian athletes tend to exhibit their peak performance primarily during the SEA Games. He described this transient strength as temporary and lacking long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the General Assembly on March 19, which marked the conclusion of the NOCC’s 8th term and the commencement of its 9th term, Mr. Vath Chamroeun issued an urgent call for national sports institutions to re-strengthen their capabilities. He emphasized the vital necessity of promoting specialized skill training and reforming existing work methodologies to counteract the sharp drop in performance observed recently.
While Cambodia’s historic first-time hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2023 undoubtedly yielded impressive medal counts and garnered widespread acclaim for its hospitality and spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, the overall quality of national sports has unfortunately deteriorated in the period following the event.
Addressing representatives from over 50 national sports federations present at the NOCC assembly, Mr. Vath Chamroeun delivered pointed criticism regarding the perceived decline in national sports. He articulated that federations appear strong only during the SEA Games, with performance subsequently diminishing across the board. This, he asserted, stems from an overreliance on strategy without sufficient scientific backing, which ultimately leads to a transient and unsustainable level of strength.
Acknowledging these critical issues, the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport urged all relevant bodies to rebuild and enhance their respective capacities. This collective effort is crucial for successfully undertaking the significant responsibility of hosting the Asian Youth Games in 2031. Furthermore, the NOCC plans to actively seek out qualified sports science instructors to foster more sustainable performance improvements. The committee also intends to secure additional sponsorship and support partners, aiming to alleviate the training costs for high-level athletes.
During the same General Assembly, which concluded the 2022-2026 term and ushered in the 2026-2030 term, Mr. Thong Khon received unanimous support, securing 100 percent of the votes, to continue his tenure as President of the NOCC for an additional four-year term. Mr. Vath Chamroeun will also continue in his influential role as Secretary-General, working alongside other Deputy Secretaries-General and Vice-Presidents of the NOCC.
Looking ahead, the NOCC has outlined ambitious strategic plans for its 9th term. These include a firm commitment to strengthening national federations, sports officials, and coaches, as well as significantly enhancing the capabilities of Cambodian athletes. The ultimate goal is to enable them to compete for Olympic medals in either the 2028 or 2032 Olympic Games, marking a pivotal step forward for the future of Cambodian sports.
