Cambodia Baseball Players Prepare for SEA Games

Kampong Thom, Cambodia (10 January 2011)

Cambodian Baseball Players training at the baseball field in Prasath Balaing district, Kampong Thom to prepare for SEA Games

The Cambodian Baseball Federation (CBF) has led a group around 30 people with a popular local artist, Pou Khlaing. He led them to visit the Cambodian National Baseball Team (CNBT) training field on 9 January, in Prasath Balaing district, Kampong Thom.

The purpose of visiting the field is to motivate baseball payers to work hard and prepare themselves for the upcoming SEA games and other national and international tournaments. It is also an idea to promote and develop baseball in Cambodia through entertainment. This event is also preparing baseball players in training.

Mr. Pou Klaing and other artists have come to show their support for the team. Through joy, music and dancing, they have added to the spirit of the baseball team. It is a great idea to get support from the community to encourage the baseball team to perform at the best of their abilities and to win games.

Joe Cook, the President of the Cambodian Baseball Federation, said that, “We will try all efforts to take baseball to the people, and we want you to help us in baseball. I want to bring the joy of baseball to the children of Cambodia and give them hope.”

Ms. Chea Theary, General Secretary of Cambodia, said that around 30 people from Phnom Penh including Pou Khlaing and some local artists went to Kampong Thom to inspire the baseball team, especially to work hard and prepare for the SEA Game 2011.

“Three national selected baseball teams, which were established in Kampong Thom, need to train from 15 December 2010 to 30 October 2011, to join international baseball competitions in Indonesia in November”. She added these three teams will practice and train here.

After joining SEA Games, the Cambodian Baseball Federation has many future plans, such as Clinic Baseball in Phnom Penh, opening season and international games. “We also plan to teach children the game of baseball and get them more involved in sports in order to cut down inactivity in society such as involvements in using drugs, stealing, violence, and so on.

“I observed that after people have been involved in sports especially baseball, they develop a strong spirit with a strong conscience.

It is noted that the Cambodian National Baseball Team will participate in the 26^th SEA Games, to be held in Indonesia, from 11 to 25 November 2011. This team has been training since 2007. The federation has been recognized by the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and currently trains at Prasath Balaing Sports Complex, Kampong Thom province. The team had competed in the 2007 SEA Games and 2009 Asian Baseball Cup, both held in Bangkok, Thailand.

By S.L (Vol. 5, Issue 3, SEAW)