Sihanoukville: The 6th World Kun Khmer Championship 2025 officially opened on Tuesday in Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk province, drawing 125 athletes from 20 countries.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the annual championship is being held from Feb. 10 to 13 and features athletes from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, France, Germany, England, Spain, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Cameroon, Mauritius, and host country Cambodia.

The competition includes 50 events, divided into amateur, semi-professional, and professional categories. The opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Dr. Thong Khon, Senior Minister and President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC).

Addressing the ceremony, H.E. Dr. Thong Khon warmly welcomed all delegates and athletes, expressing pride in hosting the championship in the scenic coastal area of Preah Sihanouk province. He stated that Kun Khmer has been preserved and developed into a source of national pride, gaining strong support and recognition both domestically and internationally.

He noted that the NOCC has consistently supported the development of traditional sports that represent national identity in line with Olympic standards, highlighting the successful inclusion of Kun Khmer and Kun Lbokator in the 2023 SEA Games hosted by Cambodia. 'Through close cooperation between the NOCC, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Kun Khmer Federation, the International Kun Khmer Federation, and member countries, Kun Khmer has strong potential to achieve official recognition by the International Olympic Movement in the future,' he said.

Kun Khmer has a history spanning thousands of years, with depictions carved on the walls of ancient Khmer temples, providing clear evidence of its deep cultural roots. The World Kun Khmer Championship aims not only to promote the sport internationally but also to support Cambodia's tourism sector under the theme 'Cambodia is a safe and welcoming tourist destination,' particularly highlighting the coastal attractions of Preah Sihanouk province, known as the 'Star of the Southwest' and a full member of the World's Most Beautiful Bays Club.

In 2024, the World Kun Khmer Championship attracted athletes from 18 countries when it was held in Siem Reap province.