Exciting Khmer sports activities

In order to preserve and promote national cultural values, the culture and sports sector and local authorities have stepped up propaganda work, guiding Khmer people to participate in physical training and sports competitions, improve health, and improve spiritual life.

The Ngo boat team actively practices to prepare to compete in the Ngo boat race, at the 17th Khmer Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival of the province in 2025. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of An Giang, Tran Nguyen Ba, said that in recent years, all levels, sectors and localities with a large Khmer ethnic population living in the province have effectively mobilized social resources to invest in and build facilities, training grounds, and regular sports and physical education competitions. In particular, attention has been paid to the restoration, preservation and promotion of traditional sports of the Khmer ethnic group.

Localities regularly organize sports competitions and festivals on traditional holidays and New Year's Eve, contributing to creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere and becoming a traditional cultural activity, enriching the spiritual life of the people.

Besides popular sports such as football and volleyball, some traditional sports of the Khmer people such as dragon boat racing, stick pushing, tug of war, stilt walking, water fetching team... are always interested, maintained and received positive response from many classes of people.

Chau Khanh, a resident of O Lam commune (An Giang province), said that in addition to practicing sports to improve his health, he also participates in sports competitions and sports festivals organized by the locality and the province. For him, participating in sports competitions is a source of pride for him, a place to exchange and learn experiences, and contribute to preserving the traditions of the nation. "The local government creates very favorable conditions for people to play sports and improve their health. I hope that in the future, the locality will organize sports competitions and sports festivals to strengthen the solidarity of ethnic groups," said Chau Khanh.

Sports competitions at the Khmer Cultural, Sports and Tourism Festival are organized annually by the Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with localities with a large Khmer population, always attracting a large number of athletes and people to compete and cheer.

The 17th Khmer Cultural, Sports and Tourism Festival in 2025 will take place in Go Quao commune from November 4 to 6, on the occasion of the Ok Om Bok festival of the Khmer people. In addition to the art, cultural and culinary programs, the festival will feature many sports activities such as volleyball, football, martial arts, and Ngo boat racing.

The opening was the Go Quao Commune Men's Volleyball Tournament, attracting 6 teams to participate. With an even force, taking advantage of the opportunity and the enthusiastic cheering of the fans, the Go Quao Commune team won 2-0 against the Giong Rieng Commune team to win the championship. The Provincial Taekwondo Club Cup also took place in an exciting and attractive atmosphere, with the competition of nearly 130 athletes from 9 units.

The most exciting, attractive and attracting the most spectators and tourists is still the traditional Ngo boat race. The tournament takes place from November 5-6, on Cai Lon River, Go Quao Commune, with 3 events: 800m men (21 teams), 1,200m men (22 teams) and 800m men and women (12 teams). Up to this point, the teams have gathered in Go Quao Commune to prepare for the "stormy" competitions.

Mr. Danh Ninh - Captain of the Soc Sau 1 Pagoda Boat Team said that the team had practiced for more than 10 days at the pagoda and 5 days on the Cai Lon River, with the determination to defend the championship title in the 800m men's and 800m men's and women's combined races. "This year's tournament has the participation of more teams, we need to consider reasonable tactics right from the qualifying round, hoping to achieve good results," said Mr. Danh Ninh.

In the coming time, the provincial sports sector will continue to coordinate with departments, branches, organizations and localities in the province to strengthen the organization of sports tournaments and sports festivals and include many traditional sports in the competition content. The province will gradually improve the quality of organizing the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Festival of the Khmer people in the province, contributing to consolidating and developing traditional ethnic sports of each locality.

LE TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/soi-noi-hoat-dong-the-thao-dong-bao-khmer-a466030.html