PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has announced it will not compete in eight sports at next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing concerns for athlete safety amid lingering tensions along the two countries’ border.
The decision was confirmed by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) in a letter to the Southeast Asian Games Federation on Wednesday. The withdrawn sports include football, petanque, wrestling, judo, and karate.
NOCC Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun told AFP the move was purely “about safety,” without directly linking it to the ongoing border dispute. He added that reducing the number of athletes makes it easier to manage their security.
Cambodia now plans to send 150 athletes to compete in 13 sports, down from the originally announced 333.
The border conflict has flared intermittently this year, with clashes in July leaving more than 40 people dead over five days. Although a truce brokered with the support of US President Donald Trump has reduced hostilities, diplomatic tensions persist.
The dispute dates back over a century, originating from colonial-era border agreements. Both countries continue to claim certain border temples, fueling the ongoing disagreement.