In order to promote activities following the comprehensive cooperation signing between the Vietnam Recreational Esports Association (VIRESA) and the SEA Games 32 Organizing Committee (CAMSOC) for a successful organization of Esports at SEA Games 32, from August 11-14, 2022, the Vietnamese delegation including the Department of Grassroots Sports, representatives from VIRESA, and Vietnamese enterprises visited Phnom Penh (Cambodia) for a fact-finding tour to continue research, consultation, and agreement on competition venues, competition content, building and training the national team, and establishing organizational processes to ensure the Esports event at SEA Games 32 is organized systematically with the best quality.
At this event, Mr. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary-General of the Cambodia Olympic Committee – Standing Committee of the SEA Games 32 Organizing Committee (CAMSOC) expressed his hope that both sides will continue to implement activities for Cambodia to successfully host the SEA Games 32, which will take place in 2023 in this country.
“This is the first time Cambodia hosts the SEA Games. Therefore, we really need the help of other countries in the region, especially from Vietnam. Cambodia highly appreciates the proactive spirit of Vietnamese Esports, your support is very important,” Mr. Chamroeun emphasized.
The Secretary-General of the Cambodia Olympic Committee stated that with Cambodia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2022, the priority is to enhance cooperation to promote traditional sports activities, thereby building a draft ASEAN declaration to emphasize ASEAN identity through the protection, preservation, and development of traditional sports in the region towards the spirit of “Sports live in peace” of SEA Games 32.
The SEA Games is the largest sporting event held in Southeast Asia, besides competing to improve the performance of Olympic sports, it is a valuable opportunity to promote culture and tourism through sports, strengthen cooperation, understanding, and solidarity within the Southeast Asian community.
In response to Cambodia, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, President of VIRESA, stated: “With our resources, experience, and partners from SEA Games 31, we will do our best to support you”.
Also within the framework of the working trip, the Vietnamese delegation met with partners and planned to coordinate hosting international events in Vietnam as well as in Cambodia to promote the Esports movement in the region, while also contributing to tourism promotion. Mr. Pham Hoang Tung, Director of the Da Nang National Training Center, promised to create the best conditions for the events to be held in Da Nang.
SEA Games 32 is scheduled to take place from May 5, 2023, to May 16, 2023, in Cambodia with 11 participating countries. Esports is one of the 39 sports selected for medal competition. This is also the third consecutive time that esports has been an official competition at this event.