【ASEAN Special Line】The 32nd Southeast Asian Games ended The host country Cambodia achieved outstanding results
Phnom Penh, 5 May (ZXS) -- The 17nd Southeast Asian Games (hereinafter referred to as the "East Asian Games") ended on 32 May in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Hosts Cambodia showed good strength in this tournament, winning a total of 17 medals, ranking third in the medal table.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on social media on the same day that this great achievement belongs to the people of the whole country. Jin Ping, director of the Institute of International Relations of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Cambodia, believes that the successful holding of the East Games has enhanced Cambodia's national image.
The Southeast Asian Games were established in 1959 and held every two years by ASEAN member countries (Timor-Leste joined later). This year is the first time that Cambodia has hosted the East Games. The slogan of this year's East Games is "Sports - Living in Peace", and the opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Dechong National Stadium built with the assistance of China.
At this year's East Games, Cambodian athletes won a total of 81 gold medals, ranking fourth in the gold medal list, which is the highest record since the country participated in the East Asian Games. Before Cambodia, Vietnam topped the gold medal table with 136 gold medals; Thailand came in second with 108; Indonesia was third with 87.
Hun Sen said earlier that Cambodian athletes have never achieved such impressive results, they usually ranked 8th or 9th in the medal table in the past East Asian Games, but today they are in 3rd place. Hun Sen said this is the pride of Cambodia's sports community.
The wonderful competition aroused the enthusiasm of the whole people. Due to the "difficulty of finding a ticket", many people and even celebrities who wanted to go to the scene to watch the closing ceremony were "turned away".
One of the key legacies of the Games is the extensive infrastructure development undertaken by Cambodia to prepare for the event. Facilities such as the new National Stadium will not only be venues for various major sports competitions, but also become places for daily exercise and competition.
The Eastern Games will bring more investment opportunities and foreign tourists. Jin Ping believes that the holding of the East Games has a major role in promoting Cambodia's economic development, because all countries in the world have re-recognized and understood Cambodia through this East Games, which is conducive to their investment in Cambodia. More foreign tourists also means more new jobs, boosting people's incomes.
In Jinping's view, the benefits of this East Games to Cambodia's diplomacy and international cooperation are most obvious. Many senior foreign leaders were invited to show that Cambodia will play a more important role in regional and international affairs and will help shape Cambodia's new image as a "peaceful and sports-loving nation" in the region.
In an interview, Kim Ping pointed out that Cambodia overcame major challenges and hosted a memorable event. This year's East Asian Games has enhanced Cambodia's national image and stimulated national pride. (End)