Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 4, 2023: A meeting of the South East Asian (SEA) Games Federation’s Women and Sport Committee ended on a positive note at the Garden City Hotel in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
The Chair of the Committee, HE Dr. Koy Pisey, thanked the representatives of nine National Olympic Committees for attending the meeting and updating the members on the women and sport activities and initiatives in each country.
“It is clear that we are standing shoulder to shoulder in our efforts to promote women and sport throughout the region, and that this is resulting in strong progress in our countries,” said Dr. Koy Pisey, who is Secretary of State for the Ministry of Tourism.
“It has been very interesting to learn about the activities in each country. I would like to thank our National Olympic Committees for the productive exchanges and for sharing their experience.”
The delegates took it in turn to update the committee on the work being carried out, especially following the years of the pandemic.
Myanmar reported that 90 per cent of the athletes who attended a national athletes’ forum last November were women, and Singapore made a presentation on a “Lead-Her-Ship” forum which marked International Women’s Day on March 8.
Thailand held a women and sport leadership course involving Olympians, and Vietnam highlighted the strong links between the government’s sports ministry and the Vietnam Olympic Committee in promoting the women and sport activities.
Laos reported that former NOC President Mrs Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune had been honoured by being appointed a member of the IOC Education Commission, and that the NOC would seek the assistance of Thailand in organising a gender equity seminar.
Malaysia provided details on formulating the Safe Sport Code and also announced plans to host an IOC conference on safe sport.
Brunei Darussalam’s initiatives include an IOC- funded women’s leadership seminar in July and a women’s fun run by the end of the year, while host Cambodia highlighted the strong representation of female athletes in the third National Games.
The report of the Philippine Olympic Committee included details of the all-female athletes parade at the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games on Friday evening to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of their female athletes over the past five years, including the 2018 Asian Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This initiative drew a round of applause from the members.
Summing up the reports of the NOCs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supitr Samahito, Vice President of NOC Thailand and a women and sport advocate for many years, said: “The situation gets better and better for ASEAN countries regarding athletes, administrators and coaches. I am very happy to hear these reports and I congratulate every country.”
The meeting took place ahead of the SEA Games Federation Council on Thursday afternoon – one day before the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games on Friday, May 5.