The National Olympic Committee has formed a commission aimed at improving the role of women in sports.
The committee comprises members from the ministries of Education, Defense, Health and Women’s Affairs, and former athletes, said Meas Sarin, secretary-general for the National Olympic Committee. The panel will meet about four times per year, he said, although a date for the first meeting has not been set.
Cambodia has been slowly rebuilding its sports program since the end of the Khmer Rouge regime.
But poor facilities and no training after decades of civil strife have hurt athletes. Sponsors are scarce, salaries are low, and the Olympic Stadium, closed for renovations last September, remains inaccessible.
At the 2000 Summer Olympics, two female athletes competed in Sydney, Australia. Hem Raksmey, competed in the 50-meter freestyle swimming event, placing 70th out of of 74 swimmers. Ouk Chan Than competed in the 100-meet dash, finishing last.
At a press conference Tuesday, the committee named the following women for the commission: You Narin, from the Ministry of Education, chairwoman; Lim Marina, Uth Chan Bo and Sam Mony, vice chairwomen; Prak Samphas, secretary, Poeung Sam Ang, treasurer; and Huot Chantheany, Kang Kanilen, Chan Sophal, members.
