Cambodia Prepares to Host 2031 Asian Youth Games in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh— Sept. 18, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior and President of the Cambodia Canoeing and Rowing Federation, has outlined key strategies to prepare Cambodia for hosting the 2031 Asian Youth Games.

Cambodia will officially host the Asian Youth Games 2031 in Phnom Penh. Originally planned for 2029, the event was postponed to 2031 following a scheduling adjustment by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Cambodian and OCA officials formally signed the host city contract on Jan. 26, 2026, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The federation held a meeting on Sept. 16, 2026, at the Ministry of Interior to review first-half results and set directions for the second half of 2026.

H.E Sar Sokha stressed that federation leaders and working groups must prioritise planning for the recruitment of young athletes to train for the Games. He said the federation must raise awareness among youth through schools and provinces to foster interest in the sport and build a quality talent pool.

He also instructed leaders to focus recruitment on the Royal Cambodian Navy and the Naval Gendarmerie, so those units can select athletes aged 13 to 14 for intensive training, ensuring Cambodia has athletes of competing age by 2030 and 2031.

The Deputy Prime Minister set out four main plans: organising competitions in line with international rowing standards; ensuring officials can use digital systems for national and international coordination; expanding management scope by drawing on grassroots experience to assess athlete performance; and conducting regular evaluations of training results.

He called for periodic internal quality reviews, annual development plans leading to 2031, and the creation of a digital archive documenting the federation's history, competitions and leadership.

H.E Sar Sokha reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating development and addressing challenges, including shortages in athlete training. Second Vice-President Sor Sethi presented the first-half work report, while Treasurer Meas Toeun presented the financial report.

Source: Ministry of Information

https://www.information.gov.kh/articles/202257

Reported by The Khmer Today