PHNOM PENH: The success of the inaugural Asian Kun Khmer Championship in Vietnam has paved the way for two new international events in 2027, with Malaysia set to host the first Southeast Asian Kun Khmer Championship and Vietnam seeking to stage a Kun Khmer World Championship outside Cambodia for the first time.
The Vietnam tournament wrapped up on September 7, prompting member countries to propose hosting further events as the sport expands across the region.
Malaysia has agreed to host the inaugural Southeast Asian Kun Khmer Championship in 2027, while Indonesia is preparing to host the second Asian Kun Khmer Championship.
At the same time, Vietnam’s Kun Khmer Federation has submitted a proposal to host the eighth World Kun Khmer Championship in 2027, which would mark the first time the event has been held outside the Kingdom.
International Kun Khmer Federation secretary-general Khov Chhay has officially announced that the seventh World Kun Khmer Championship will be held in Phnom Penh from November 25 to 30 this year.
He announced that Cambodia was ready to welcome the international Kun Khmer community for the event.
“On behalf of the international federation, I warmly invite all national federations, athletes, coaches and officials from around the world to participate in this important World Championship in Phnom Penh,” he said.
“Cambodia is fully prepared to welcome the international Kun Khmer family with friendship, hospitality and solidarity,” he added.
The Cambodian team celebrates their success at the recent competition in Vietnam. Chhorn Norn
Chhay praised Malaysia for proposing to host the inaugural Southeast Asian Kun Khmer Championship and Indonesia for seeking to host the second Asian Kun Khmer Championship in 2027.
He noted that the proposals reflected the growing commitment of member countries and the rapid expansion of Kun Khmer across the wider international sporting community.
“The conclusion of the first Asian Kun Khmer Championship is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a new chapter — one that is bigger and more ambitious for Kun Khmer,” he said.
Regarding the inaugural Southeast Asian championship, Chhay was pleased that Malaysia had already agreed to host the event alongside its preparations for the 34th SEA Games in 2027.
However, he noted that Kun Khmer was unlikely to be included on the SEA Games programme.
“We believe Kun Khmer may not be included in the 2027 SEA Games, but we will organise the first Southeast Asian Kun Khmer Championship in Malaysia, alongside the Games,” he said.
“This will be another achievement and an opportunity to show the ASEAN community, Asia and the world that Kun Khmer is a sport with growing support and broad participation internationally,” he added. - Phnom Penh/ANN
