Phnom Penh, Cambodia (ANTARA) - Indonesians in Cambodia are eager to support Indonesian athletes competing in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia on May 5-17, 2023, according to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Phnom Penh.

"They are very enthusiastic, as there are a lot of national team athletes, who will compete here, particularly for popular sports, such as football and badminton," the embassy's Head of Chancery, Lauti Nia Astri, stated here on Wednesday.

The Cambodian authority earlier announced that tickets to spectate all competitions in the 2023 SEA Games and broadcasting rights for televisions will be made free of charge, subject to terms and conditions.

"Even if the tickets are not gratis, they are willing to purchase the match tickets by themselves," the embassy official stated while highlighting the high level of enthusiasm among Indonesians in Cambodia to support their national team.

By making the tickets gratis, the Cambodian authority and the local SEA Games organizing committee (CAMSOC) expect residents across Southeast Asia to come to Cambodia and throng sports venues to watch their favorite teams and athletes compete.

"The CAMSOC stated that Cambodia, despite being a small country, has a big heart," Astri stated.

Moreover, the embassy official expressed hope that the fervor of Indonesian nationals in Cambodia to support Indonesian athletes and teams would motivate them while competing in the ASEAN-wide multi-sport event.

Astri noted that Indonesians in Cambodia are highly enthusiastic about supporting Indonesian national teams whenever they participate in sports matches in the country, adding that Indonesians in Cambodia also have various methods to express their support for the national team.

"The association of Indonesians in Cambodia also actively rallies support through social media groups, visiting the match venue, and voluntarily making their own shirt, banners, and large flags to express their full support for Indonesian teams competing (in Cambodia), regardless of their sports," Astri remarked.

Related news: Finish in top two at SEA Games: Widodo tells contingent
Related news: SEA Games result becomes benchmark for the 2024 Olympics: Minister

Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023