Thai Olympic boss: 'SEA Games Council does not ask Cambodia to reduce the number of athletes'

According to Siamsport, on August 25, the Thai Olympic Committee announced many important changes at the 33rd SEA Games, including the two most recent controversial events: the Cambodian sports delegation and the athletes' gender testing.

Requesting Cambodia to reduce the number of athletes attending SEA Games 33 is incorrect

Accordingly, Mr. Chaiyaphak Siriwat, Chairman of the SEA Games Council and Vice Chairman of the Thai Olympic Committee, confirmed on Siamsport : "Regarding the Cambodian athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games, there is information that we asked them to reduce the number of athletes to 200 people, which is incorrect. The SEA Games Council did not ask to reduce the number of athletes. Cambodia can send as many athletes as they want. Cambodia has registered about 400-500 athletes."

Cambodia successfully hosted the 32nd SEA Games at home.

Photo: Phnom Penh Post screenshot

Previously, Thai newspapers such as Kaosod (English version), Siamsport and Thairath simultaneously reported that at a meeting with the 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee and heads of delegations from Southeast Asian countries on August 20, the Cambodian sports delegation confirmed its participation in the 33rd SEA Games with 600 athletes and about 100 officials. This number is down from the previous total of more than 1,600 people.

But soon after, on the same news sites, it was reported that Mr. Chaiyaphak Siriwat asked Cambodia to reduce the number of athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games to no more than 200 people, because of concerns that the host country Thailand could not ensure adequate security. At the same time, the Secretary General of the Cambodian Olympic Committee, Vath Chamroeun, denied this information when answering an interview with the local press on the same day (August 22).

"We don't know. They just posted the information. We haven't confirmed the exact number of athletes participating. We are still waiting for the decision of the Cambodian government . This is unofficial information. We haven't announced the number of athletes participating," Vath Chamroeun said, quoted by the Phnom Penh Post.

However, this matter has been clarified recently, after Mr. Chaiyaphak Siriwat reconfirmed that there was no request for Cambodia to reduce the number of athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games.

According to Khmer Times , the Cambodian Olympic Committee is expected to have internal discussions before confirming the scale of Cambodian sports participating in the 33rd SEA Games with how many athletes. The deadline for sports delegations to submit the list of athletes to participate in the 33rd SEA Games is September 15, when it is possible to know more clearly about the actual number of athletes Cambodia will send, according to Siamsport .

Cambodian track and field athletes (right) compete at the 32nd SEA Games on home soil.

Photo: G.Lao

Meanwhile, regarding the issue of gender verification for female volleyball players, Mr. Chaiyaphak Siriwat clarified: "Regarding the issue of gender verification for female volleyball players, some countries have requested that some athletes need to be tested. But ultimately, this depends on whether they participate in the 33rd SEA Games or not. Furthermore, stricter passport verification is required for foreign athletes, ensuring that the information matches the actual information."

Thailand increases bonus, determined to win gold medal at SEA Games 33

The Thai Olympic Committee has announced an increase in the gold medal bonus for Thai athletes winning at the 33rd SEA Games, from 300,000 baht (about 243 million VND) to 500,000 baht (about 405 million VND).

The 33rd SEA Games took place in Thailand from December 9 to 20, with 50 sports competing in three main provinces: Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla.

Thailand aims to win up to 40% of the total gold medals at the Games. Specifically, about 234 gold medals in the sports events, out of a total of 574 gold medals to be competed for.

Accordingly, Thai sports want to take advantage of home field to regain the No. 1 position on the medal rankings at the 33rd SEA Games, after the last two editions in 2021 and 2023 were both behind the Vietnamese sports delegation.

Regarding the issue of television copyright and live broadcasting of the 33rd SEA Games, Mr. Chaiyaphak Siriwat revealed that so far, 6 countries have submitted applications, including a number of participating television channels from Vietnam. The 33rd SEA Games is expected to broadcast about 21 sports, sports that have international appeal.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sep-olympic-thai-lan-hoi-dong-sea-games-khong-yeu-cau-campuchia-giam-so-luong-vdv-185250826100253534.htm