Thailand tightens naturalization process, many delegations face difficulties at SEA Games 33

In the latest move, the host country of the 33rd SEA Games, Thailand, will ban athletes from using temporary certificates or passports to compete at the Games later this year. This regulation is considered to help bring a more balanced competitive environment.

The decision was announced by Mr. Chaipak Siriwat, Executive Director of the Committee, saying: "This year, Thailand will carefully examine the passports of athletes coming to compete. We will pay close attention and monitor athletes with foreign elements.

We will strictly check athletes from the time they arrive in Thailand until they return. If they are found using certificates instead of real passports, they will definitely be arrested. We have adopted this regulation to bring a fairer competitive environment for athletes. And this is also what we want to do after receiving complaints from delegations in previous editions."

Cambodia brings many foreign athletes back to 'harvest' medals.

As this official stated, at the 32nd SEA Games, there was a situation of “hiring” foreign athletes to compete with temporary passports or certificates. A typical example is the host country Cambodia. They brought American basketball players to the 3x3 basketball team. All 3 players on the field were American citizens. And these players brought home the gold medal for Cambodia.

In Judo, Cambodia has athletes of Ukrainian nationality, in athletics there are 2 athletes from China and France, in boxing there are boxers from Uzbekistan... In the previous congress, Cambodia also naturalized some Iranian athletes in wrestling, the Philippines naturalized Judo athletes from Japan... These people have helped bring glory to them.

Naturalized athletes have created a lot of controversy. And this time, Thailand will be determined to stop this way of hiring athletes. The move from the host of SEA Games 33 will be a heavy blow to countries that are trying to quickly naturalize athletes to compete in SEA Games 33 such as Cambodia, Philippines or Malaysia...

Source: https://znews.vn/thai-lan-siet-chat-khau-nhap-tich-nhieu-doan-gap-kho-o-sea-games-33-post1578737.html