AKP Phnom Penh, March 20, 2026 --

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, has praised the sustained efforts of the country’s Olympic movement and stakeholders for raising the profile of national sports and enhancing Cambodia’s prestige on the international stage.

The Minister highlighted the collective contributions of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, national sports federations and relevant partners, noting that their cooperation led to the successful hosting of the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and ASEAN Para Games—described as an unprecedented achievement in the nation’s sporting history after more than six decades of anticipation. The milestone, he said, reflected the spirit of the slogan “Sports Live in Peace.”

Speaking at the closing general assembly of the National Olympic Committee’s eighth mandate (2022-2026) and the opening of its ninth mandate (2026-2030) on Mar. 19, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron outlined key recommendations to further develop Cambodia’s sports sector.

He called on all stakeholders to maintain confidence in the Royal Government and to align with its policies, particularly the Pentagonal Strategy - Phase 1 and the national sports policy framework. 

He stressed the importance of unity and harmonious cooperation to avoid disruptions to sectoral development.

The Minister also urged strict adherence to institutional roles and responsibilities, regular consultation among stakeholders, and the avoidance of disputes – especially conflicts of interest – within the sports community.

Emphasising governance, he called for strengthened leadership and management capacity across sports organisations through principles of transparency, accountability, integrity, effectiveness and leadership.

In addition, he encouraged expanding technical expertise and modernising sports practices in line with advances in sports science, with a particular focus on developing skilled human resources and ensuring consistent support for high-performing athletes.

H.E. Hang Chuon Naron further underscored the importance of promoting clean sport, including preparations to implement the 2027 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code to combat the use of prohibited substances.

He also advocated for greater adoption of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance sports management and technical development.

By K. Rithy Reak