The Morodok Techo National Stadium took centre stage during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 32nd SEA Games in 2023. Post Staff
The Chinese government has accepted two major sport-related proposals from Cambodia. The first will see the Kingdom’s elite athletes take part in high-level training in China, while the second will see China provide technical support for the maintenance of the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
The 60,000 seat stadium was built with Chinese grant assistance prior to the Kingdom’s hosting of the 32nd SEA Games in 2023.
Zeng Huacheng, deputy director-general of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, met with Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) on March 12.
Chamroeun informed the media that the Chinese government would provide the assistance to the Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance, through the Chinese commerce ministry.
NOCC and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport will act as facilitators.
As part of the planned assistance, specialised Chinese coaching staff will work with 161 Cambodian athletes as they prepare for this year’s 33rd SEA Games, which will be held in Thailand.
“This project is not just for 2025, but will be ongoing, as Cambodia prepares to host the Asian Youth Games in 2029,” explained Chamroeun.
“China has approved the proposal, but some procedural decisions and agreements by specialists need to be finalised to ensure mutual responsibility,” he added.
He clarified that the support is similar to that received by Cambodia prior to the 32nd SEA Games, when athletes went to China for training with full financial support from China. There are also plans to send coaching staff to China for specialised training.
“We also received news that our request for support with the Morodok Techo National Stadium maintenance – which is complex – and specialized, has the full support of the Chinese government,” he said.
“We hope that this assistance from the Chinese government will help both the Morodok Techo National Stadium and the performance of our national representatives, especially as we prepare for the SEA Games in Thailand at the end of the year,” he added.
