PHNOM PENH: Kun Khmer Federation president Khov Chhay has expressed optimism that India could one day become the country with the largest number of people training in Kun Khmer, saying this would be an important step in promoting the Khmer martial art internationally.
His comments came after the Kun Khmer Federation Championship 2026, India’s first national Kun Khmer championship, was successfully held on Sept 28-29 at Peddem Stadium in Mapusa, Goa.
Chhay, who also serves as secretary-general of the International Kun Khmer Federation, congratulated the Indian Kun Khmer Federation on the success of the historic event, which brought together around 200 athletes from 12 states across India to compete for medals in different weight and age categories.
The turnout demonstrated growing interest in Kun Khmer and its potential for further development in India, he noted.
The participation of Shri Shripad Naik, India’s Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, as a guest of honour at the championship also demonstrated the government’s attention to and support for the development of Kun Khmer in India, while providing encouragement to the participants.
Chhay also praised Sarona Mahalingam, vice-president of the International Kun Khmer Federation and president of the Indian Kun Khmer Federation, for his efforts to promote the development of Kun Khmer in India.
He credited Mahalingam’s efforts, together with the commitment of federation leaders and members from different states, with helping make the inaugural national championship a success.
“I am optimistic and firmly believe that in future editions of the Indian national Kun Khmer championship, thousands of athletes from states across the country will participate,” Chhay said.
“Because India is the world’s most populous country, I believe that in the future India will become one of the countries with the largest number of people training in Kun Khmer in the world.
“This success is not only a historic event for Kun Khmer in India, but also an important step in promoting Kun Khmer, the ancestral martial art of the Khmer people, more widely on the international stage.
“The international federation will use Kun Khmer as a tool of cultural diplomacy and a bridge of friendship to promote Cambodia, and peace, to the people of India and the world,” he added.
Chhay said the promotion of Kun Khmer could help Cambodia attract more international tourists and investors by encouraging them to learn about and visit the kingdom. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
