Cambodia to provide free SEA Games broadcast rights

By Xinhua and Matichon

Phnom Penh – Cambodia is to provide free-of-charge live broadcast rights to local and overseas TV networks for the upcoming 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 12th Asean Para Games.

Cambodia had previously set the fee for live broadcast of the games in Thailand at US$800,000, or around 28 million baht, the highest among Asean nations, by stating that the market value had been assessed.

However Vietnamese news site Beatvn criticised it as being far too high, pointing out this was 80 times higher than what Vietnam had charged for doing so at the previous event.

“The royal government decided not to charge for the Games broadcast rights for both local and foreign TVs,” the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC) said in a statement.

The government will also give free admission to both local and overseas spectators, including opening and closing ceremonies as well as all competition events, the statement added.

The move was made during a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen, it said.

Cambodia will host the SEA Games for the first time in 64 years from May 5 to 17. The Morodok Techo National Stadium in a northern suburb of the capital Phnom Penh will be the centrepiece venue for official opening and closing ceremonies, and tournaments.

The Games will see athletes competing in 37 sports of more than 600 disciplines, according to CAMSOC.

Cambodia will also host the 12th Asean Para Games from June 3 to 9.

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Above: The logos and mascots of SEA Games and Asean Para Games being held in Cambodia this year. Credit: VNA

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Inserted photo: Reuters/Johanna Geron and published by ABC News, Front Page photo:  SPM and published by Phnom Penh Post

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