Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January 4, 2022: The opening of the new national sports complex in Cambodia has been named one of the most significant events of 2021 in the Kingdom of Wonder.
The Phnom Penh Post listed the inauguration of the Morodok Techo National Sports Complex as a highlight of last year and a main reason for optimism in the future.
The new Morodok Techo National Sports Complex and Main Stadium was inaugurated on December 18 by the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, who described it as a “national achievement”.
A prior ceremonial event to mark the completion of its construction was attended by Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on September 12.
The complex took eight years to complete after construction began in April 2013 at a cost of nearly USD 160 million, financed with help from China.
The new stadium stands in the Prek Ta Sek and Prek Leap communes of Chroy Changvar district of Phnom Penh and will host the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in May 2023 and also the 5th Asian Youth Games in 2029. It will be the first time in Olympic sports history for Cambodia to host the SEA Games and also an Olympic Council of Asia multi-sports event.
The main stadium has been built to meet international competition standards with a seating capacity of 60,000.
With China’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, in attendance at the December 18 opening, Prime Minister Hun Sen thanked the Chinese government and people for providing a great deal of generous support and assistance to Cambodia, with the stadium being the latest of many benefits resulting from the “ironclad” bonds of friendship between the two nations.