Cambodia faces international ban after withdrawing from 9 sports at SEA Games 33

By Trung Thu November 28, 2025 | 05:34 pm PT

Cambodia has been banned from competing in sepak takraw at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, following its withdrawal from the sport at SEA Games 33, Thai officials said Friday.

Thana Chaiprasit, vice president and secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and head of the Thai delegation at this year’s SEA Games, told a meeting that the World Sepak Takraw Federation and the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation imposed the ban, according to Siam Sports.

Sepak takraw is one of nine sports Cambodia has withdrawn from at SEA Games 33. The federations that govern the remaining eight sports are reviewing the situation before issuing decisions, Thai officials said.

Thai organizers say the withdrawals disrupted event planning and competition management.

Chaiphak Siriwat, executive director of SEA Games 33, said Cambodia’s withdrawals occurred after athlete lists had already been confirmed and called the timing "sudden." He added that the organizing committee is considering fines or other measures for violations of competition regulations, MRG Online reported.

Fireworks explode at the opening ceremony of SEA Games 32 in Morodok Techo Stadium on Phnom Penh outskirts, Cambodia, on May 5, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Cambodia initially registered to compete in 21 sports.

On Nov. 26, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) notified the Southeast Asian Games Federation and the 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee of its withdrawal from eight sports, including football, sepak takraw, petanque, wrestling, judo, karate, pencak silat and wushu.

A day later, Cambodia withdrew from volleyball.

These events prompted adjustments to some competitions. Singapore would be moved from Group C to Group A in the men's football, to face Thailand and Timor-Leste. Group B comprises Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia, and Group C has Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

The NOCC confirmed participation in 12 sports, including swimming, athletics, e-sports, fencing, gymnastics, ju-jitsu, kickboxing, taekwondo, equestrian, jet-skiing, triathlon and teqball. Cambodia's planned delegation of 333 athletes, coaches and officials was reduced to about 100 after the withdrawals.

Officials linked the changes to heightened tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over border issues. Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Hang Chuon Naron has asked Thai authorities to ensure the safety and security of Cambodian participants and to maintain fairness and transparency in competition.

The NOCC has instructed its delegation to follow strict safety protocols, including daily roll calls, group travel only, and constant communication. Cambodian officials said they remain committed to participating in the sports that were retained, subject to "allowable conditions."