Phnom penh: Cambodia today commemorated the 10th anniversary of the inscription of its traditional Tean Proat (tug-of-war game) on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The milestone was marked by Cambodia’s Acting Head of State, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, who emphasised the game’s role as a symbol of national unity and heritage preservation.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in a message shared on his official social media platform on Tuesday, Samdech Techo Hun Sen noted that Dec. 2, 2015, was the date the traditional game received joint inscription status from UNESCO, following a decision adopted during a committee meeting in Namibia. He highlighted that the tug-of-war is a widely practiced and popular communal game during festivals and public events throughout Cambodia, serving as an emblem of unity, solidarity, and collective strength through friendly, cooperative competition.

On this occasion, the Acting Head of State underscored that safeguarding cultural heritage is a shared national responsibility, and he urged all citizens to actively preserve and transmit the nation’s profound cultural traditions to subsequent generations. The UNESCO designation specifically acknowledges the cultural importance of the traditional tug-of-war as a living heritage practice that actively fosters social cohesion, mutual respect, and a strong cultural identity within communities.