SEA Games 33 discusses hot issues: Personnel, athlete gender and security

C PRELIMINARY NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

One of the most interesting current issues is how many members of the Cambodian sports delegation will participate in the 33rd SEA Games. Recently, when a conflict broke out at the border between the two countries, host Thailand even proposed banning Cambodia from participating in the 33rd SEA Games. However, this idea was strongly opposed by the SEA Games Council. With the political situation gradually stabilizing as it is now, Cambodia's presence at the largest regional sports event with more than 1,500 people will not change. At the meeting on August 21, Cambodia is expected to finalize this preliminary list.

PHOTO: GIANG LAO

Cambodian sports teams are still in the process of preparing to compete at the 33rd SEA Games. For example, in men's volleyball, famous athlete Voeun Veasna of this country gave up a salary of up to 30,000 USD in 3 months (more than 788 million VND) at a professional volleyball club in Taiwan, to return to train with the team for the 33rd SEA Games, according to Phnom Penh Post . Previously, the Cambodian women's cricket team also went to Singapore for a long training session to prepare for competing at the 33rd SEA Games.

Previously, some sports delegations such as host Thailand announced the number of participants up to 2,134 people (including athletes, coaches, officials ...), followed by Malaysia with 1,824 people, Singapore 1,973 people and the Vietnamese sports delegation expected to have more than 1,000 people. Meanwhile, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei and Timor Leste have requested a 2-week extension and are expected to submit the list of participants before September 1.

The 33rd SEA Games will be held in Thailand from December 9 to 20, in three major cities: Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla. Thailand wants to take advantage of its hosting advantage, aiming to win 40% of the total gold medals, specifically 234 gold medals. At the 33rd SEA Games, there will be a total of 574 gold medals in 50 sports. At the 31st and 32nd SEA Games, Thailand ranked behind Vietnam on the medal tally.

DEEP DISCUSSION ON GENDER TESTING OF ATHLETES AT SEA GAMES 33

At the meeting with the heads of delegations of the countries participating in the 33rd SEA Games, Thailand will announce the progress of preparations for facilities, accommodation for delegations and security issues. According to Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Director General of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), ensuring absolute safety for the 33rd SEA Games is a top priority. "We are considering moving the opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games inside the stadiums. But we also want to hold these events outdoors to stimulate tourism . We are still assessing and monitoring the situation daily to make appropriate decisions," said Mr. Kongsak.

Mr. Kongsak also confirmed that the 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee will screen female athletes from the LGBTQ+ community if necessary. However, this will depend on the sport as well as the rules of the respective sports federation. This is a very important issue to be discussed at the meeting on August 20, after many controversies about the gender of female athletes recently, such as in volleyball.

Regarding the television rights for the 33rd SEA Games and the ASEAN Para Games, the Thai Olympic Committee has assigned SAT to handle. Mr. Kongsak said: "Many regional television stations have expressed interest in this issue. But we cannot officially announce it yet. In Thailand, the SEA Games audience is very large and widespread, so the sports will be broadcast live on official channels. I believe that the broadcasting of the SEA Games will be extremely comprehensive, including cooperation with government and private channels, as well as coverage throughout Southeast Asia."