Cambodia successfully concludes SEA Games, welcomes Thailand in 2025!

* PROGRESSIVE NARRATIVE

Like previous congresses, after the introduction of delegates, the closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games began with the flag-raising ceremony of the host country.

The flag salute ended with two performances of “See you again” and “The Soul of the Lion” (kun bokator) by 1,000 artists. Kun bokator is a traditional Khmer martial art, and bokator fighters have been an extremely powerful force in Southeast Asia for more than 6 centuries starting in 800 AD. Bokator uses a variety of attack techniques using elbows, knees, arms, shins, and heads. In which, hips and fingers can be used to kill opponents, bamboo sticks and short sticks are also used. In 2011, Bokator was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia. On November 29, 2022, Bokator was officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible world cultural heritage.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the closing ceremony

Following the two opening acts is the parade of the sports delegations participating in the 32nd SEA Games. The parade order starts according to the order on the overall ranking.

Leading the parade was the Vietnamese sports delegation. At the 32nd SEA Games, the target of the Vietnamese sports delegation was to win from 90 to 120 gold medals, ranking in the top 3 of the delegation. However, the Vietnamese athletes competed explosively and exceeded the set target and ranked first overall. This is the third time in the history of the SEA Games that the Vietnamese sports delegation ranked first overall with 136 gold medals, 105 silver medals and 114 bronze medals. The previous two SEA Games were both held in Vietnam (2003 and 2021).

Affirmation of position at SEA Games 32: Vietnamese sports firmly in the top position

Ranked second on the medal table is the Thai sports delegation with 108 gold medals, 96 silver medals and 108 bronze medals. The Indonesian sports delegation ranked third with 86 gold medals.

The host country of the 32nd SEA Games, Cambodia, also showed remarkable progress when it ranked 4th on the overall rankings with 81 gold medals, 74 silver medals and 126 bronze medals. This is also the best achievement that Cambodia has achieved at a SEA Games. Next in line are the sports delegations of the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Laos. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the overall rankings are the 2 sports delegations of Brunei and Timor Leste.

The Vietnamese sports delegation paraded at the closing ceremony. Vietnam ranked first overall with 136 gold medals, 105 silver medals, and 118 bronze medals.

The parade ended with the volunteers of the 32nd SEA Games. They are the silent people, always present everywhere to create the success of the SEA Games in Cambodia. The host country of the largest sports event in Southeast Asia also sent thanks to the volunteers. According to statistics of the host country, there are about 5,000 volunteers registered to participate in the 32nd SEA Games, all of whom were selected and trained by the Union of Cambodian Youth Federation (UYFC).

After the parade of the sports delegations, the Organizing Committee released a video to summarize the 12 days of competition of the athletes. Notably, appearing in this performance was the Cambodian athlete, Bou Samnang. At the 32nd SEA Games, this female Cambodian athlete only finished last in the 5,000m race, but she became the star of the event, with an emotional image of crying and trying to run alone in the pouring rain. Prime Minister Hun Sen was also moved and sent this little girl 10,000 USD.

Looking back at miracles: from Nguyen Thi Oanh's lightning-fast run to Bou Samnang's steely spirit

Mr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and Permanent Vice President of the Cambodian SEA Games Organizing Committee, said: “Dear Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife, distinguished delegates, distinguished guests and everyone. The 32nd SEA Games is coming to an end and this is a historic event for Cambodia. I would like to congratulate the Cambodian people for successfully organizing this event. The 32nd SEA Games has left a meaningful event for the sports delegations as well as the Cambodian people, especially the opening ceremony which was assessed to meet Olympic standards.

Over the past 12 days, we have witnessed the spirit, effort and noble spirit of the athletes participating in the competition. They always try to bring glory to the country. This is an important sporting event, not only for the athletes to express their aspirations but also to show the solidarity of the Southeast Asian sports delegations.

I would like to thank the thousands of volunteers who have helped the Games over the past few days so that athletes and international visitors can experience the best of Cambodia. Volunteers are an indispensable part of the 32nd SEA Games, and I would like to thank each and every one of them. Congratulations to all the athletes who won medals, especially the Cambodian athletes who won medals right on their home turf.

A special thing at the 32nd SEA Games is that Cambodia received help from countries in the region. The torch has traveled to the countries, it symbolizes the solidarity and support of the countries for Cambodia. Sports are not just about competition, not just about winning medals, but it is the best. Good health and thanks to everyone. Goodbye and see you again at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand".

The closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games was organized by the host Cambodia very elaborately and colorfully.

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After Mr. Thong Khon's speech, Mr. Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Cambodia, Head of the Organizing Committee of the 32nd SEA Games shared: "On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 32nd SEA Games, I am honored to be entrusted with the historic mission of being the Head of the Organizing Committee of the 32nd SEA Games. With the efforts and attention of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the 32nd SEA Games was a great success. Despite many difficulties, the Organizing Committee still tried, and overall still created one of the best games. The Cambodian sports delegation achieved results beyond our expectations.

I would like to express my gratitude to the international Olympic movement, the Southeast Asian sports community, the athletes, coaches and referees who attended the Games."

After his speech, Mr. Tea Banh also presented awards to outstanding athletes at the 32nd SEA Games. The two athletes who received awards were Pal Chhor Raksmey (Cambodia) and Quah Ting Wen (Singapore). Track and field athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh of Vietnam won 4 gold medals and was also in the top 5 best athletes at the 32nd SEA Games.

On behalf of the host country Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen said: “Do you want Cambodia to host the SEA Games in 20 years? Today I am very happy with the slogan 'Sports - Living in Peace' of the 32nd SEA Games. After the past days of competition, the 32nd SEA Games has come to an end.

On behalf of the host country, I can confirm that Cambodia has made every effort to bring a successful Games. The organization has been very carefully prepared. I would like to thank the delegations of the countries that attended the 32nd SEA Games, the athletes who came to attend the sports festival in Cambodia. I would like to thank the neighboring countries for supporting the facilities for us to organize the 32nd SEA Games. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I would like to apologize if there are any mistakes. I hereby declare the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia closed.

After the closing statement of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the torch that had been burning brightly for the past 12 days was extinguished, marking the end of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. Music played and the flag-lowering ceremony was held. A very successful SEA Games of Cambodia, where the people have waited for 64 years and the Organizing Committee has worked hard to bring the best things, has officially stopped.

Thailand will be the host country of the 33rd SEA Games.

The golden boys of Vietnamese sports at SEA Games 32

On behalf of the host country of the 32nd SEA Games, Mr. Tea Banh handed over the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag to Thailand. Fireworks were also set off to welcome the next host of the Southeast Asian Games. The flag-raising ceremony and the performance of the Thai national anthem, along with the performance of the song "Hello SEA Games" were brought to the fans. The 33rd SEA Games will be held from December 9 to 20, 2025 in 3 main cities: Bangkok, Chonburi, Songkhla - 3 major tourist cities of Thailand.

The closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games was simple, short but also very special. The stands at Morodok Techo Stadium, where the closing ceremony took place, were full. At the end of the closing ceremony, the Organizing Committee invited all fans and guests present to stand up and sing and dance to the song “Cambodia Pride”. This performance was like a final greeting, to close the 32nd SEA Games.

* COMMENTS BEFORE THE CLOSING CEREMONY

On May 13, in an interview with Cambodia's BTV News channel, Mr. Vath Chamroeun revealed that the opening ceremony will still take place under the high-level chairmanship of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. At the same time, many guests from 11 countries in the Southeast Asian region have been sent invitations and will attend the closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games.

SEA Games 32 Organizing Committee makes surprising decision to grant invitations to the closing ceremony

Mr. Vath Chamroeun said that he was very happy with the compliments that regional and international fans gave to the opening ceremony on May 5. With the meticulousness in the organization, according to his assessment, the 32nd SEA Games is becoming one of the most successful games ever.

Mr. Vath Chamroeun was very happy when the opening ceremony received many compliments from the audience.

In particular, Mr. Vath Chamroeun also revealed about the closing ceremony taking place today, May 17. He affirmed that although the scale of the organization is smaller than the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony promises to continue to bring viewers a feast of sound and light, as impressive as what they did on May 5.

Mr. Vath Chamroeun shared: “The closing ceremony was smaller in scale than the opening ceremony, but it was great. On the other hand, the beauty of Morodok Techo Stadium with its modern design attracted the audience. Its class will not be inferior to any other ceremony.

For the closing ceremony, we also bring in some dazzling, high-class performances. We have gathered nearly 2,000 artists to perform at the closing ceremony and this arrangement will help us achieve a grand ceremony.”

Mr. Vath Chamroeun affirmed that fans will continue to witness a classy and sparkling closing ceremony, no different from the opening ceremony.

Vietnam Golf and the dream miracle at SEA Games 32

In addition to talking about the closing ceremony, Mr. Vath Chamroeun affirmed that the host country of the 32nd SEA Games is rectifying security and order issues to ensure the event runs smoothly.

“Security and order are the top priorities of CAMSOC at the moment. We are prepared to strengthen through inspection mechanisms and issue various regulations under the high guidance of Mr. Tea Banh and Thong Khon,” Mr. Vath Chamroeun added.

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