Smart Axiata continues to support National Games; Pleng artists wow with performances
Cambodia’s 3rd National Games and 1st National Paralympic Games officially kicked off on Monday, November 21, 2022, with the country’s leading telecommunications company, Smart Axiata, sponsoring the events. Pleng, the company’s flagship music-streaming platform, also collaborated with local artists to compose a special song for the occasion, which was performed live during the Opening Ceremony.
The Games’ Opening Ceremony, attended by thousands of spectators demonstrated Cambodian fans’ growing interest in sports.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Smart Axiata, Feiruz Ikhwan who attended ceremony said “Smart Axiata completely understands our role in supporting the nation-building agenda, and sports play a very important part in binding us together and help to develop unity among Cambodians. We are incredibly proud to be a part of Cambodian sports development and investing in young Cambodians.”
Spanning across five venues in Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kep, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, the 3rd National Games is set to be Cambodia’s biggest sporting event ever although it will be eclipsed next year when the country hosts the Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games. This year’s Games also saw the introduction of the first National Paralympic Games. The Games will feature 38 conventional sports and seven Paralympic sports, incorporating a total of 405 disciplines. The Games will officially conclude on November 30, 2022.
Top Cambodian artists Morm Pechrith, Meas Soksophea, Riem Phearum, Doung Virakseth, Tey and Pou Khlaing delivered a live performance of the newly composed song “Vireakpheap Keila” (“Courage of Sports”) at the Opening Ceremony alongside other spectacular performances featuring a variety of Cambodian art forms, from ballet to the traditional martial art L’bokator.
Other stellar Cambodian artists from Pleng – G-Devith, Khmeng Khmer, Klapyahandz, and Vuthea – also wowed the audience with special performances.
The elaborate Opening Ceremony featured demonstrations of various Cambodian martial arts, horseback riding and a parade of the athletes. A live stream of the event was broadcast on the Pleng and Smart Axiata Facebook pages, garnering a combined 1.4 million views overnight.
Smart Axiata has been a proud supporter of Cambodia’s National Games since its inaugural edition in 2016. Understanding the importance of sports to the nation-building agenda, Smart Axiata’s support is one of the company’s unwavering commitments to social cohesion, with the aim of contributing to Cambodian society and nurturing the next generation of talents.