Siem Reap Gets Kun Khmer World Tournament Rerun
The Fifth Kun Khmer World Championship will take place from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7 in Siem Reap province. Photo: Chhum Chantha
- By Kim Makara
- and Meng Seavmey
- November 29, 2023 7:05 PM
PHNOM PENH – The Fifth Kun Khmer World Championship will take place from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7 next year in Siem Reap province.
Kun Khmer International Federation president Meam Ra made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the Fourth Kun Khmer World Championship in the province on Nov. 28.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) said early this month that choosing Siem Reap province for the tournament aimed to promote both the relationships between the member countries and the tourism in the province that is a historical place of sport.
Fighters from 17 countries took part during the Water Festival from Nov. 26 to. 28 in front of the Royal Residence in Siem Reap city.
They included Cambodia, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Ukraine, Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan, Cameroon and Australia.
NOCC secretary Vath Chamroeun said the three days had been a success for Cambodia and kun Khmer’s reputation which had gained wider international recognition.
“First, we could gather all members in Siem Reap province and welcomed each other warmly,” he said. “Everyone kindheartedly agreed for the World Kun Khmer Championship.
“Secondly, I think more than 30,000 national and international tourists came to support the competition for the past three days.
“The positive outcome reflects on the right decisions made on this championship organization.”
Chamroeun said members encouraged Cambodia to go for the second stage: getting Kun Khmer into the Asian level with 45 countries, as the country had been successful in getting the sport included in the SEA Games.
The next goal was to put the martial art in the Asian Games and then the Olympics, Chamroeun said.
The first and second Kun Khmer World Tournaments were held for three days in December of 2017 and 2018 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh capital. The third, in 2019, took place in Kampot province.
