Peace Palace, September 20, 2023: During a meeting with a delegation of Cambodian athletes to participate in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, after giving best wishes from Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen for the athletes to score success in the 19th Asian Games, Samdech Thipadei shared five recommendations with them. Firstly, they must continue to train and maintain good health. Secondly, they must adhere to discipline and ethics as athletes and good friends to create good memories, since each Cambodian athlete is an ambassador representing Cambodia. Thirdly, they must strictly avoid the use of banned substances or violate sports rules. Fourthly, they have to maintain unity and help each other as one of the Khmer proverbs goes “a different mother at home, the same mother in the forest,” and fifthly, they continue to increase solidarity and friendship with athletes of various countries under the principle of “winning is to make more friends and stand on good ethics.”
At the same time, Samdech Thipdey reminded to the athletes the factors that led to the success of Cambodia in organizing the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Firstly, the standard of competitions, opening and closing ceremonies, infrastructure and all kinds of preparations, including volunteers. Secondly, the efforts of the athletes themselves, where Cambodia won the total 282 medals. Thirdly, the favorable factor contributed by peace, stability and development; Fourthly, the leadership factors, especially the leadership of Samdech Techo, who has a long-term vision and good preparation, including overcoming all obstacles in the crisis phase of Covid-19, and fifthly, the participation of all relevant sectors and people of all strata./.
