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Speech by His Excellency Mr. Sok An
Senior Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the
Council of Ministers at the 5th Asian Petanque Championship
Takmau, November, 23-25 2001
- Excellencies Khamthon Sindayananda, President of Asian Petanque and Sport Boules Confederation
- Excellencies,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
- Distinguished delegates of Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Cambodia
On behalf of the Federation de Boules and Petanque du Cambodge and my own self, I would like to extend my warm welcome to the delegates of all countries who participate in the 5th Asian Petanque Championship in Cambodia to day. Taking this delighted occasion, I would like to highly appreciate the esteemed presence of His Excellency Khamthon Sindavananda, President of Asian Petanque and Sport Boules Confederation, who always pays attention to the sport development for a more popular and fascinated field as the other sports.
In fact the boule sport came into being for a long time a go, originating from France and spreading out over many countries. Particularly in Cambodia, it wins a noticeable support but the organizing and the encouragement to develop this kind of sport have only been paid attention in recent years. The Federation de Boules et de Petanque du Cambodge has been so far sponsored by Federation of Peatnque of Thailand, namely FBT company. On the other hand, the Federation de Boules et de Petanque du Cambodge has Recently received the assistance in form of bowls from the Federation de Boules et de Petanque de France and Societe Concessionnair de I'Aeroport (SCA). In addition, the Federation de Boules et de Petanque du Cambodge also receives sponsorship from generous people, firms and other sources to strengthen capacity of Cambodian sportsmen.
This is the first time that Cambodia has ever hosted the Asian Championship, which had been organized annually after the first one in Bangkok since 1997. Organizing this event in the next consecutive days will lay a foundation for Cambodia to draw lessons and experience in organizing other regional and international sport events in the future.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This sport is very important for all people because, one way, it produces joyousness and, the other way, it also can better promote and strengthen bonds of friendship, peace and cooperation among states and people. Taking this opportunity, I would like appeal to the delegates of all countries to upgrade their capacity and talents to lure more fascination through making this sport a popular one among other international sports. My appeals also go to the President of Asian Petanque and Sport Boules Confederation to get other countries more actively involved, and to consider requesting that Olympic Committee includes petanque sport in the future Olympic tournament.
I would like to conclude with every wish of good health for Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen and of good result of the match.
I have the honor to declare the 5th Asian Petanque Championship open
Thanks