It is not uncommon for SEA Games hosts to introduce native sports to the programme to showcase them to the world, while reducing the number of events they are weak in to boost their medal tally.
However, in addition to debuts for local chess game ouk chaktrang and martial arts kun khmer and kun bokator at the Cambodia Games, some other events have also been tweaked, leaving participants and observers scratching their heads.
In badminton, the men’s and women’s team events – which start on Monday – will feature only stronger nations like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.
