Cambodia officially withdraws from the 33rd SEA Games.

On December 10th, Thai media outlets unanimously quoted Chaipak Siriwat, Vice President of the Thai Olympic Committee and Chairman of the SEA Games 33 Council, confirming that the Cambodian delegation had withdrawn from all registered events at the Games.

The Cambodian delegation appeared at the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games on the evening of December 9th. Photo by Bui Luong.

Previously, Cambodia had decided to withdraw from eight sports, including men's football, but still confirmed its participation in the remaining 12 sports on the registration list.

Cambodia has also formed a sports delegation of 137 members to participate in the 33rd SEA Games, with many teams already present in Thailand.

At the SEA Games opening ceremony on the evening of December 9th, the Cambodian delegation participated in the parade along with 10 other countries. However, this morning, the SEA Games organizing committee confirmed and announced Cambodia's withdrawal.

"Mr. Vath Chamroeun - Secretary General of the Cambodian Olympic Committee - informed Mr. Chaipak Siriwat of this decision, and confirmed that Cambodia will send an official withdrawal letter to the organizing committee at 11 am today, December 10th, and will return home tomorrow," Thairath reported, adding that the reason for Cambodia's withdrawal stems from border tensions with Thailand.

Cambodia's withdrawal will certainly disrupt the 33rd SEA Games in general, as well as the 12 sports that the country had previously confirmed its participation in, as the schedule and draw had already been completed.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/campuchia-chinh-thuc-rut-lui-khoi-sea-games-33-726296.html