Cambodia Hosts ASEAN Sports Day to Promote Inclusive Sports

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport organized the ASEAN Sports Day 2026 on August 1, 2026, along the Sen River in Kampong Thom province, under the theme "Inclusive Sports for Social Harmony." The event was attended by approximately 1,000 participants, including government officials, military personnel, teachers, students, and the general public. Key figures present included H.E. Ke Bun Khien, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, and H.E. Noun Pharat, Governor of Kampong Thom Province. The ASEAN Sports Day featured sports competitions, traditional games, artistic performances, and martial arts demonstrations. H.E. Ke Bun Khien stated that the organization of this day is in accordance with the Prime Minister's Office's letter No. 609 Sanchon.AV dated July 19, 2017, which granted the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport the principle to organize ASEAN Sports Day annually in the Kingdom of Cambodia since 2017. The objective is to commemorate the founding of the ASEAN Community on August 8, 1967, and to promote sports activities within the ASEAN community. Furthermore, it aims to disseminate and encourage citizens of member states to promote harmonious lifestyles, good health, national identity, and the preservation and development of sports, traditional games, and folk games in the region and globally, thereby contributing to national social development. During the ASEAN Sports Day, H.E. Ke Bun Khien appealed to citizens, especially youth, children, government officials, military personnel, and staff of all institutions, to engage in regular exercise and sports to promote health, prevent diseases, and build strong families and harmonious societies. He urged everyone to make the slogan "Each citizen practices at least one sport for life" a reality and to continue strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation within the spirit of the ASEAN family through sports activities, which serve as a bridge for peace, mutual understanding, and sustainable development. Participants in the ASEAN Sports Day expressed great joy, highlighting the promotion of national identity and the preservation and development of traditional sports for global dissemination. Source: AKP Khmer