Phnom Penh, Cambodia, September 30, 2022: The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) is planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with its Iranian counterpart to forge a closer sporting relationship between the two countries.
Top officials from the Iranian NOC, including new President Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, paid a courtesy call on NOCC President Thong Khon on Thursday, September 29, at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh during which preliminary discussions were held on signing a MoU between the two NOCs.
The Iranian delegation included immediate past President of the Iran NOC, Dr. Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, while the Secretary General of the NOCC, Vath Chamroeun, also attended the meeting.
The Iranian sports officials are in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to take part in the 41st Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly on October 3-4.
NOCC Secretary General Chamroeun was quoted by the Khmer Times newspaper saying: “We are planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding covering sports development and tourism promotion in the near future. We also exchanged views on strengthening friendship between the two countries.”
NOCC President Thong thanked Iran for their help in developing sports in Cambodia, noting that Iranian coaches are helping train the country’s karate and wrestling athletes ahead of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games which will be held in Phnom Penh.
One of them is Iranian wrestling legend Komeil Ghasemi, gold medallist at the London 2012 Olympics, who is working with the Wrestling Federation of Cambodia.
Thong also said Iran was a powerhouse in many sports, especially martial arts, and pointed out it has a top football team in Asia.
“I hope the MoU will be signed soon. It will help us develop sports in Cambodia, which in turn will help us to win more medals at the next SEA Games,” Secretary General Chamroeun added.