OCA Still Gives Cambodia a Chance to Host Asian Youth Games in 2031

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has given Cambodia another chance after signing the host city contract for the Asian Youth Games in 2031. Initially, Cambodia was supposed to host the games in 2029, but due to slow preparations and unclear plans, the OCA removed them from the program. Cambodian sports management requested to postpone to 2031 instead, which will impact youth athlete development across Asia, as it will create a 4-year gap until the OCA selected Uzbekistan to host in 2029. The competition cycle will also be changed from every 4 years to every 2 years, starting in 2029. Recently, the OCA held a host city signing ceremony in Tashkent, with Vath Chamroeun, the Olympic Secretary of Cambodia, signing on behalf of the delegation, alongside Sok Sareung, the governor of Phnom Penh, and Timothy Fox, the acting OCA president. Vath Chamroeun expressed confidence that Cambodia will perform excellently, emphasizing their full commitment to preparing and taking responsibility for this mission. He noted that this would be an important opportunity to create a new historical milestone as Cambodia moves towards becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030. In the previous Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, Cambodia sent 154 athletes across 14 sports, winning 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. Cambodian media claimed medals in Pencak Silat and Kun Khmer, though the actual events were Thai boxing, which was certified by the OCA.