Hot: Cambodia suddenly withdraws U.23 team from SEA Games 33, men's football has big changes

According to Thai media, the Cambodian sports delegation has decided to withdraw from 8 sports at the 33rd SEA Games.

Cambodia withdraws 8 sports from SEA Games 33

Main Stand (Thailand) reported that the reason given by the Cambodian sports delegation was to ensure the safety of the fans. At the same time, the Cambodian sports delegation also mentioned the 8 sports they withdrew from the 33rd SEA Games including: judo, karate, silat, petanque, wrestling, wushu, football and sepak takraw.

Among these 8 sports, Cambodia's absence from football is considered the most surprising as their U.23 team has a huge investment. At the same time, the withdrawal of U.23 Cambodia also leaves Group A with only 2 teams: U.23 Thailand and U.23 East Timor. Siamsports predicts that men's football at the 2025 SEA Games may have to wait for a redraw after the situation suddenly changes.

Men's football at SEA Games may have to be redrawn because U.23 Cambodia withdrew

U.23 Cambodia (blue shirt) will not participate in SEA Games 33

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

In a letter to the 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee on November 26, Mr. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOC Cambodia), wrote: “NOC Cambodia would like to express our gratitude to the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) for their continued leadership and also to the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee (THASOC) for their commitment and dedication in preparing for the upcoming SEA Games. We would like to officially inform the SEAGF that Cambodia will withdraw from 8 sports. This adjustment is due to significant security concerns that have disrupted the safety and protection of our athletes and officials.”

Two groups of women's football at SEA Games 33 before Cambodia withdrew from football. Thus, Group A will have only 3 teams, Thailand will not have to redraw the women's football.

In addition to announcing the withdrawal of the above 8 sports, Mr. Vath Chamroeun said that the Cambodian sports delegation will still be present at the 33rd SEA Games, participating in 13 sports including: swimming, athletics, e-sports, fencing, gymnastics, jujitsu, kickboxing, taekwondo, horse racing, jet skiing, triathlon and volleyball.

Mr. Vath Chamroeun emphasized: “Although the number of athletes has been reduced, Cambodia is still committed to participating in the Games under the conditions allowed, in a safe manner. We would like to express our gratitude and hope that SEAGF and THASOC will sympathize and agree.”

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nong-campuchia-bat-ngo-rut-u23-khoi-sea-games-33-bong-da-nam-co-bien-dong-lon-185251126201747843.htm