Cambodia denies false information from Thai Olympic Committee about SEA Games 33

(NLĐ0) – Not long after the Thai press reported that the Cambodian sports delegation "cut 96% of its personnel attending the 33rd SEA Games", the Cambodian Olympic Committee spoke out to deny it.

Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), has denied false information that Cambodia will reduce the size of its sports delegation to participate in the 33rd SEA Games to be held in Bangkok, Thailand later this year.

Front page of Phnom Penh Post and article refuting the argument put forward by Thailand

Several major Thai newspapers such as Thairath and Thai Enquirer simultaneously published information on the morning of August 5 that Cambodia had reduced the number of athletes from about 1,515 to only... 57, a reduction of 96%. The initial information was published by the English-language Khaosod newspaper, and was even quoted by a reputable fanpage called ASEAN Football (under the Southeast Asian Football Federation).

According to these sources, the reason is said to be Cambodia's security concerns following border tensions between the two countries in late July. Some opinions from Thai sports officials even proposed banning Cambodia from the games, but this proposal was rejected because it violated the Olympic Charter.

The Phnom Penh Post has published the full rebuttal statement from relevant Cambodian authorities.

The Secretary General of the Cambodian Olympic Committee "was completely unaware of the information given by the Thai side"

Khaosod English version quoted the Secretary General of the Thai Olympic Committee, Mr. Thana Chaiprasit, announcing the above information at a meeting of the Thai Olympic Committee on August 4. The newspaper also quoted Mr. Thana Chaiprasit as confirming that the host country Thailand will send 2,134 athletes to compete in 574 events in 50 sports.

The article also listed the number of athletes from several other countries, including Malaysia with 1,824, Vietnam with 863, Singapore with 1,973, and Myanmar with 749. Cambodia had originally planned to send about 1,500 athletes but decided to drastically cut its sports delegation to just 57.

The Phnom Penh Post newspaper stated that the SEA Games should be separated from political issues.

Mr. Thana Chaiprasit also added that the remaining countries, including Cambodia, have requested a one-month extension to complete the registration list, according to Khaosod news.

Mr. Vath Chamroeun completely denied this information, affirming that NOCC had no knowledge of the figures given by the Thai side. He emphasized that whether Cambodia will participate in the 33rd SEA Games or not depends on the actual developments of the current border situation between the two countries and will ultimately require an official decision from the Royal Government of Cambodia.

SEA Games 33 is in turmoil before the opening day of the congress.

"We don't know anything about this. This is not official information. We have never considered anything other than continuing training. Everything depends on the situation and we have to wait for the final decision from the Royal Government. There is still a lot of time ahead," he told the press on August 5.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/campuchia-bac-bo-thong-tin-sai-lech-tu-uy-ban-olympic-thai-lan-ve-sea-games-33-196250805213338438.htm