Phnom Penh, Cambodia, February 13, 2026: The Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, Vath Chamroeun, has been elected President of the Kun Khmer International Federation.
The KKIF Congress was held at Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on Thursday, February 12. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Education and Sport, was elected President for the term 2026-2030 and replaces Mam Ra, who was appointed Honorary Life President.
The International Federation of the traditional Cambodian martial art elected a new executive committee. The federation has 63 member national federations throughout the world.
Khov Chhay, President of the Kun Khmer Boxing Federation of Cambodia, was appointed Secretary General, in a 25-strong executive committee.
Speaking to the media, Chamroeun described the general assembly as a turning point for the sport, citing improved unity between the international federation and Cambodia’s national Kun Khmer institutions.
“This marks a new phase,” he said. “We have achieved greater internal cohesion, particularly between the international and national bodies, and that unity is essential to our broader objective.”
He said the federation was focused on strengthening confidence among member countries and accelerating Kun Khmer’s integration into larger international sporting platforms, including the Olympic movement.
Chamroeun emphasised that the new IKKF structure was designed to promote internal solidarity and effective governance.
“Our priority is to demonstrate unity rather than division,” he said. “We want Kun Khmer to move forward on a single path, with close cooperation and stronger coordination among all member countries.”
He added that the federation aims to expand membership to 75 countries during the new term — a key benchmark required for Olympic consideration.
“Once we reach 75 member nations, we will prepare the necessary documentation to seek Olympic recognition,” he said. “After that, we will move to the next phase, working to meet the additional criteria for Kun Khmer to become an Olympic sport.”
NOCC/The Phnom Penh Post
