CAMBODIA has pulled out of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games due to the tensions in its border with Thailand, which hosts this year’s competition.
Thailand newspaper The Nation posted the letter of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia secretary general H.E. Vath Chamroeun to the Southeast Asian Games Federation informing it of the pullout.
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The conflict between the two countries has led to deaths on both sides of the border, raising safety concerns from the relatives of the Cambodian athletes, according to the NOCC.
“On behalf of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, I regret to inform you that due to serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately, NOCC must withdraw all of our delegation and arrange for their prompt return to Cambodia for safety reasons,” the NOCC wrote.
“This decision was not made lightly. We greatly appreciate the hospitality, warmth, and spirit of sportsmanship extended to our athletes by the THASOC and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) throughout their stay. We apologize for any inconvenience this early departure may cause and remain grateful for your understanding and support,” the NOCC wrote.
The pullout came just a day after the opening ceremony.
Cambodia won 81 gold medals in the 2023 edition that it hosted.
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