Torch relay celebration held for 32nd SEA Games & 12th ASEAN Para Games

The torch relay ceremony to commemorate the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be held in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May and the 12th ASEAN Para Games to be held from 3 to 9 June was held yesterday at the Embassy of Cambodia to Myanmar on University Avenue in Yangon.
Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs U Min Thein Zan, who is also the Myanmar Olympic Committee Chairman, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein and regional government ministers, the representative of the Organizing Committee of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Cambodia, the Cambodian Ambassador to Myanmar, representatives from Timor-Leste and ASEAN member countries specially invited for the torch relay programme, the director-general and officials of the Department of Sports and Physical Education, the vice-president of the Myanmar Paralympics Federation, athletes from Myanmar’s sports federations, students, and public totalling about 1,800 people attended the event.
First, Ambassador Mr Chum Angvichet of Cambodia to Myanmar and the vice-president of the Myanmar Paralympics Federation gave memorable speeches.
Then, Myanmar Olympic Committee Chair Union Minister U Min Thein Zan expressed his pride and joy for Cambodia hosting the 32nd SEA Games for the first time and for the host country’s hospitality and planning.
The Union minister said that he believes that the 32nd Southeast Asian Games will fully represent the promotion of friendship and peace and harmony among Southeast Asian countries.
Afterwards, Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee of Cambodia Representative Mr Hor Sarun said that the torch relaying ceremony will start from Angkor Wat, the world’s wonder temple in Cambodia, and will continue to 10 ASEAN countries and return to Cambodia on 27 April.
They continued to take commemorative photos and the torch commemorating the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games was carried by the representative of the Cambodian Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee from the Cambodian Embassy to Myanmar.
Next, the torch was carried from one person to another through the Cambodian Ambassador to Myanmar, the Myanmar Olympic Committee Chairman Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, the vice-president of the Myanmar Paralympic Sports Federation, Paralympic athletes and rower, and the director-general of the Sports and Physical Education Department.
From there, it was handed over to the representative of Cambodia’s Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee and taken to the Cambodian Embassy where it was lit and stored.
The torch will leave Myanmar for Laos on 22 April. — MNA/KZL