Thailand has the largest number of athletes at the 32nd SEA Games
According to the Cambodian Olympic Committee, at least 11,400 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries will come to compete in the 32nd SEA Games and 12th Para Games. But this number may change as the delegations determine personnel to compete in each subject.
Deputy Organizing Committee of SEA Games 32 Thong Khon said that Thailand attended the upcoming Games the most, with about 1,100 athletes out of a total of 1,755 members, reaching the goal of winning 112 gold medals. When the 31st SEA Games took place in Vietnam, Thailand brought in 871 athletes, winning 92 gold medals to rank second in the whole team.
The Philippines ranked second in terms of number of SEA Games 32, with 840 athletes, slightly higher than the expected list of host Cambodia. Meanwhile, Vietnam ranked fourth with 744 athletes, less than SEA Games 30 and 31 with 856 and 965 athletes, respectively. The goal of the Vietnamese delegation is to win from 90 to 120 gold medals.
The next positions are Indonesia (about 700 athletes), Malaysia (677), Singapore (572), Myanmar (about 400), Laos (about 300). Timor Leste and Brunei have an expected list of less than 100 athletes. The number of participating countries' athletes is higher than the 31st SEA Games, because the Covid-19 epidemic has been controlled.
Because of funding issues, Vietnam can reduce the number of athletes to 714 before the General Department of Physical Education and Sports closes the list and sends it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Meanwhile, the Olympic Committee and the Sports Development Fund of Thailand will spend about 4.5 million USD (about 106 billion VND) to send athletes to attend two events in Cambodia this summer.
The Malaysian delegation is divided into two groups, including 390 athletes with their own money to participate and 287 athletes who are fully or partially covered by the governing sports federation to attend the 32nd SEA Games. The expenses will be paid by the Malaysian Olympic Committee. Refund if athlete wins medal.
The 32nd SEA Games opens on May 5 and closes on May 17, with 37 sports competing in five cities of Phnom Penh, Kep, Kampot, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Meanwhile, Para Games 12 will be held in Phnom Penh from June 3 to 9 with 13 subjects.
