Cambodia will send a team of disabled runners to Malaysia in May to compete in the Ara Para Games, a competition involving athletes from countries as far away as North Korea, India, and perhaps even Australia.
“We believe we will win some medals, but we don’t know what kind yet,” because he isn’t certain which other countries will be competing, said Yan Sorkun, who serves on the executive committee of the Asian Para Sport Federation.
He said teams like Australia are real powerhouses, and if they compete, they may edge other countries out of medals.
Cambodia is sending a six-man team to compete in sprints and relays. Orn Sok Eng, 29, lost his right leg to a land mine in 1990. He has great respect for the Australians. “They can run 100 meters in 11.1 seconds, while I myself run it in 12.8 seconds,” he said.
Orn Sok Eng has won several medals in his career, including a silver medal at the last Ara Para Games.
He said he cried when the Cambodian flag was raised over the victory stand and he saw the towers of Angkor Wat.
Orn Sok Eng said if Australia shows up, Cambodia will only have a realistic chance of doing well in relay races. If Australia doesn’t come, “I have an 80 percent hope that I will win medals for [Cambodia].”
He said other strong teams include North and South Korea, both of which have experience in international competition.
Cambodia did well at the Ara Para Games last year, winning two gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals, said Yan Sorkun. This year’s competition will be held from May 5 to June 6 at Bookid Jaleu stadium in Colalapore.
The other team members are three men who have lost their right legs, Kim Vannak, 29, Chim Phan, 31, and Sak Oung, 30; and two who have lost their left hands, Ouen Cheik, 25, and Nob Pha, 29.
