Phnom penh: The Cambodia Billiards Federation has announced its withdrawal from the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, citing safety concerns for its athletes. The federation has decided to forgo the opportunity to compete for a gold medal due to the current security situation between Cambodia and Thailand.

According to Thai News Agency, the upcoming SEA Games, scheduled to be held in Thailand from December 9-20, have raised concerns regarding the safety of Cambodian athletes. Cambodia has planned to send approximately 400 athletes and officials to the event. However, the Cambodia Billiards Federation has expressed worries about the security of its participants amid ongoing border disputes and incidents of cross-border violence, including attacks on Cambodian civilians by Thai military forces.

The federation’s statement highlighted two main reasons for the withdrawal: concerns over the safety of athletes and issues related to national dignity and morality. The federation emphasized that it would be inappropriate to participate in the games while the Cambodian people face hardships and losses due to incidents along the border. The federation also stated that it would not be responsible for any athletes who choose to participate independently, as they would not be recognized as official representatives.

Cambodia could potentially miss out on several medals due to this decision. The Cambodian billiards team had previously secured two gold medals and four silver medals at the 2023 SEA Games. Meanwhile, other Cambodian sports federations continue their training and are awaiting a final decision on their participation in the upcoming SEA Games.