Prime Minister Hun Sen met with the athletes on Friday
and advised them to play fairly at the event in order to maintain the nation's
fame and dignity.
"You are all representing the nation at the
event," the premier said. "Winning or losing is normal for athletes,
but the most important thing is to comply with the competition rules in order
to maintain the country's reputation and dignity."
Thong Khon, president of the National Olympic Committee
of Cambodia, said the athletes will contest in 21 types of sports at the
forthcoming event.
They include Vovinam, Ptanque, Shorinji Kempo, Taekwondo,
Judo, wrestling, Wushu, traditional boat race, Canoe, Sepaktakraw, football,
basketball, volleyball, swimming, athletics, badminton, table tennis, cycling,
golf, bodybuilding, and equestrian.
It will be the first time the country sends bodybuilders
and horse-riders for the SEA Games.
He said the government will award 10,000 U.S. dollars for
a gold medal winner, 7,500 U.S. dollars for a silver earner and 4, 000 U.S.
dollars for a bronze winner.
Besides, there will be additional bonuses from Prime
Minister Hun Sen and private companies for medal winners, he said.
In the last SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011, the country
earned 4 gold medals, 11 silvers, and 24 bronzes.
Eleven countries will send their athletes for the 27th
SEA Games in Myanmar: the ten ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste. Thong Khon
said, usually, SEA Games draw about 6,500 athletes and 3,500 coaches.
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