Timor-Leste is the fourth country to have paraded the 32nd SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games torch as Cambodia gears up to host the biggest sports event in the region.

Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste, Cambodian Ambassador to Timor-Leste’s Iv Heang, government officials, and around 800 athletes joined the torch parade in the capital Dili, according to CAMSOC.

Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are the first countries that paraded the torch, and Malaysia will be the next destination.

“It has been a significant achievement so far in parading the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games torch in ASEAN countries. People warmly welcomed the Cambodian sports delegation and the occasion presented a great opportunity to promote this sports event to other countries,” said Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of CAMSOC.

He said Cambodia would do its best to ensure the success of this year’s SEA Games and is determined to bring joyful moments to the nation as well as to tourists who will visit the Kingdom in the upcoming month.

The torch will tour all ASEAN countries with Laos being the last destination before heading south to Cambodia’s Morodok Techo Stadium for the opening ceremony on May 5.

There are 30 days to go until the 32nd SEA Games kick off. As the host nation, Cambodia has been gearing up to welcome athletes and visitors who will be coming to the Kingdom during the games.

Speaking at a meeting with Cambodian sports delegations, coaching staff, and athletes on Monday, Prime Minister Hun Sen asked the provinces and cities hosting sports events during the SEA Games including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kep, and Kampot to welcome tourists and athletes and offer hospitality and ensure everybody’s safety.

With this, the Prime Minister also told the sports federation and management team to provide essential help to athletes to enable them to fully compete in the upcoming sports event and bring pride to the country.

The Cambodia 32nd SEA Games will officially start on May 5 and run until May 17. Athletes are set to compete in 37 different sports including three traditional sports which are chess, Bokator (a martial art), and Kun Khmer (kickboxing).

Cambodians and foreign nationals can join both the opening and closing ceremonies at Morodok Techo Stadium and all events during the games for free, but they need to request a ticket to get in. With this arrangement, it is unnecessary for media services to purchase licences for broadcasting this biennial sports event.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the main objective is not to sell tickets and earn money.

“We want to showcase Cambodia to the world through this event,” Mr Hun Sen said at the meeting.