Thailand media is reporting that it has been confirmed that the number of Cambodian athletes to the SEA Games will be cut to 300 due to security reasons.
Cambodia had originally entered some 600 athletes to the Games being held in shadows of the ongoing border conflict between both countries.
The reduction would likely mean that many sports that do not have the capacity to win medals but were hoping to use the Games for experience would be sitting out.
Cambodia had entered 896 athletes when they hosted the Games in 2023, winning a record 282 medals – 81 gold, 74 silver and 127 bronze.
The reduction of athletes as well as exclusion of several sports that the Cambodians excelled in 2023, is likely to see the Kingdom’s hopes of a strong finish in Thailand dashed.
The SEA Games will see a total of 11,677 athletes participating, with hosts Thailand fielding the biggest contingent of 1,813 athletes. Indonesia will send 1,640 athletes while Malaysia will have 1,578 athletes at the tournament.
The 33rd SEA Games will take place between Dec 9-20 in Bangkok, Chon Buri and Songkhla. A total of 574 gold medals in 50 sports will be up for grabs in the tournament.
